ABRAHAM’S PATH TO G-D Jewish history begins with G-d’s call to Abraham at the beginning of this week’s sidra, telling him to leave his land, his birthplace, and go to the land which G-d will show him. The Torah tells us that Abraham is seventy-five years old when this happens. What has taken place in...
ABRAHAM WAS SITTING Our sidra begins by telling us the G-d appeared to Abraham who was sitting at the entrance of his tent (Bereishit18:1). Rashi here quotes a strange Midrash: Abraham was seated and wanted to get up, but G-d told him, “Remain seated and I shall stand. And the fact that you are seated...
DOVE TALES ON SHABBAT Whilst many of the Zemirot (Shabbat-table songs) were composed to be sung throughout the year, others were written with a particular Shabbat in mind. A classic example is the song composed by the great medieval Spanish poet, Judah Halevi (1075-1141), to be sung, especially, on this Shabbat. It is called: Yonah...
AM I MY BROTHER’S KEEPER? G-d’s dialogue with Cain reverberates across the generations. When Cain has killed his brother, G-d challenges him: “Where is Abel, your brother?” Cain responds: “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Gen. 4:9) Of course, it was unnecessary for G-d to ask. He knew the answer already. Rashi...
THE BELOVED ONES “Of Benjamin he said: May G-d’s beloved dwell securely by Him” (Deuteronomy 33:12) The Midrash (Yalkut Shimoni) observes that Benjamin was one of six in the Bible to be called ‘beloved’ or yedid. His merit began even before he was born since he was the only one of Jacob and his family...
TAKING THE ARBA MINIM The Arba Minim are taken every day of Succot, except on Shabbat. When bound together, they must be held, all 4 species touching, with the Lulav in the right hand and the Etrog in the left. The 3 Hadassim must be on the right-hand side of the Lulav’s spine and should...
THE SONG OF HISTORY “May my teaching drop like the rain.” (Devarim 32:2) The song of Ha’azinu is Moses’ peroration to his people. The great medieval Spanish rabbi and leader, Rabbi Moshe ben Nachman (1194-1270) and other commentators see this song encompassing the whole process of Jewish history. How can a mere song summarise the...
FROM THE INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW KOREN MACHZOR The ten days that begin on Rosh HaShanah and culminate in Yom Kippur are the holy of holies of Jewish time. The atmosphere in the synagogue is intense. You can almost touch the Divine Presence. Isaiah said: “Seek God where He is to be found, call on...
