FATHER OF MERCY This Shabbat we will be reciting an extra prayer before Ashrei called Av Harachamim “Father of Mercy.” Its origins lie in the wake of the First Crusade, in 1096. Many Jewish communities in Germany were decimated as mobs found an outlet for their religious zeal in killing Jews before making their way...
THE PROMISE OF A LEADER The philosopher Nietsche had a sharp eye for encapsulating a moral truth: “I’m not upset that you lied to me, I’m upset that from now on I can’t believe you.” Be careful with what you say. Don’t say anything you won’t keep. And keep anything you say. In his “The...
JOSEPH’S GIFT Shabbat in the Temple was characterized by an extra offering. It is described in this week’s parasha and is known as the Musaf offering. Today, when prayers have replaced the sacrifices, we have a Musaf or additional service on Shabbat. The Talmud associates the three daily services, Shacharit, Mincha, and Maariv, with the...
BUYING POWER Tucked into the first of this week’s two parashiot, is a fascinating insight into Jewish Business Ethics. The Israelites were now in their fortieth year in the desert. They were approaching the land of Canaan from the south. Their route northward entailed passing through part of the territory of Edom. In accordance with...
CONFLICT RESOLUTION If there is one Shabbat of the year when the message of the parasha is bound to be topical it has to be this week, Parashat Korach. Rebellion. Insurrection. Machloket. Hardly a week goes by without someone, some place, somewhere in the world having a dispute. However, as well as describing the full...
