We are approaching spring, hopefully, but as winter continues one of the things that I have been thinking about is chapped skin. Yes, my hands get very rough and chapped. I use a hand cream on them, but, when I put on my tie I can actually feel the fabric catching on my skin. I cannot help thinking that one of the reasons my hands are chapped is because as ...
Read MoreRabbi Becher looks at a 200 year-old book by Rabbi Moshe Isserles, and discovers amazing insights from the "extra" pages. View this video directly on Vimeo.
Read MoreRabbi Becher brings a thought from Menachem Mendl of Vorka regarding how much thought one should put into "making a living" versus the more intense thought required for actually "living". View this video directly on Vimeo.
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We are currently in the month of Adar I, and will celebrate Purim in about a month, during Adar II. Rashi tells us that the season of miracles and redemption culminating in Passover begins at the beginning of the month of Adar. This is why the Talmud tells us that “When Adar begins one should increase their happiness.” I believe that the miracle of Purim is really the ongoing miracle ...
Read MoreWhen Jacob left Israel he brought with him saplings that he planted in Egypt, which encouraged the Jews throughout their enslavement and eventual freedom. In our times, we have brought our own "trees of hope" which we plant in the modern State of Israel. View this video directly on Vimeo.
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This week we mark the beginning of Adar Rishon, or Adar 1, the additional month of a Jewish leap year. Measuring and marking the passage of time is a universal human preoccupation. At least forty different calendars are in use around the world today. The most widely used systems are the solar calendar, based on the cycle of the sun, and the lunar calendar, based on the cycle of the ...
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People often accuse Judaism of being too focused on details. This week’s Torah portion, Mishpatim, is cited as an example of this focus. It is full of detailed laws regarding torts, damages, theft, contract law, marriage law, property law etc. etc. It is not a very “spiritual” section of the Torah. However, I gained some insight into the Parsha during some recent travels. I witnessed a few cases of theft ...
Read MoreG-d said don't steal in last week's parsha. In this week, G-d expands on this idea, and gives details on what this means, so that Jews can live in any time and place with these laws. View this video directly on Vimeo.
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Abraham’s relationship with God was rooted in a covenant, an agreement between two parties, each having obligations toward the other. Abraham and his descendants were obligated to practice circumcision, kindness and justice and to have faith in God. God in turn promised that Abraham’s descendants would maintain a special relationship with Him. They would be given the Land of Israel and would be a “blessing to all nations of the ...
Read MoreRabbi Becher is in Jerusalem, and discusses the upcoming “snow storm”, his Israeli grandchildren, and the wonders of living in Israel. View this video directly on Vimeo.
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