Category Archives: Judaism

Milk, Meat and Firstfruits

Exodus 23:19, 34:26 “The first-fruit of your land shall you bring to the house of the Lord your God; Do not cook a kid in its mother’s milk” What is the connection between these two commandments? What does cooking a … Continue reading

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Exodus 21 – Law and Grace

Exodus 21 – Law and Grace The literary setup of the book of Exodus is pretty straightforward. It begins with the experience of the Jewish people in Egypt. The book describes the miraculous deliverance from slavery. We move from there … Continue reading

Posted in Basic, Judaism | 14 Comments

Channuka – Ezekiel 11:16

The word “Channuka” means “dedication”. It refers, of course, to the dedication of the Temple that took place when the Hasmoneans recaptured the Temple from the Syrian-Greeks, purified it and rededicated it for the service of God. The fact is … Continue reading

Posted in Holidays, Judaism | 7 Comments

Eternal Covenant

Eternal Covenant “When you are in distress and all these things have befallen you, at the end of days, you will return to the Lord your God, and hearken to His voice. For the Lord your God is a merciful … Continue reading

Posted in Basic, Faith Structure, Judaism | 28 Comments

Covenant and Embrace

Covenant and Embrace The point of a covenant is the preservation of a relationship. The two parties recognize that they share a bond with each other. The two parties also recognize that the awareness and the appreciation of the bond … Continue reading

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Comfort and Assurance

Comfort and Assurance   “I have said: my strength is lost and my hope from the Lord… “The Lord is my portion”, says my soul, therefore I will hope to Him.” (Lamentations 3:18:24)   There are times when all seems … Continue reading

Posted in Basic, Judaism, The Ultimate Truth | 19 Comments

Repentance

Repentance “Open for Me, My sister My beloved…” (Song of Songs 5:2) “Said the Holy One, Blessed be He to Israel; My children, open for Me an opening of repentance like the eye of a needle, and I will open for … Continue reading

Posted in Atonement, Holidays | 28 Comments

Kol Nidrei

Kol Nidrei It is an interesting way to open up a day dedicated to repentance. The day that is designated for atonement and returning to God opens with the recital of “Kol Nidrei”. “Kol Nidrei” is not a prayer or … Continue reading

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Pillars of Faith

Pillars of Faith   The Scripture uses various words to speak of the commandments of the Torah. One of the terms that is used to refer to the commandments is the word: “edut” = testimony. In a certain sense all … Continue reading

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Holy Times

Holy Times   The Biblical holidays seem to be divided into two separate cycles; we have the “Three Festivals” (Pesach-Passover, Shavuot-Festival of Weeks and Sukkot-Tabernacles – Exodus 23:14), and we have the “High Holy Days” (Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur and … Continue reading

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