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 MoreNo matter where a Jew is headed, he is ultimately headed towards Jerusalem. View this video directly on Vimeo.
Read MoreThere were many wonderful days spent with the community during the Holy Days. But we learn from the "Tower of Babel" that G-d also wants each person to express their own unique individuality.Rabbi Becher feels that the start of winter is a great time to focus on our unique characteristics. View this video directly on Vimeo.
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I did a lot of traveling over summer – I was in Canada, South Africa, South Korea and Japan. It was incredibly helpful and convenient to my phone with me. I was able to be in contact with the other people in the group with whom I was traveling; I was able to be in contact with my family, and the office. I was able to book hotels and confirm ...
Read MoreThe Sukkah reminds us of the incredible journey of the Jews, which started in Egypt, and throughout the years was always with G-d's Divine protection. View this video directly on Vimeo.
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Five days after the intensity of Yom Kippur, Sukkos, the festival of joy and happiness, begins. This festival lasts eight days in Israel and nine days everywhere else. The Torah describes the festival as follows: …On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the Festival of Sukkot, a seven-day period for God: On the first day shall be a sacred holyday when you shall not do any laborious work: On ...
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One of the best-known features of Yom Kippur -- sometimes the only thing people know about this day -- is the fact that we are forbidden to eat and drink. What is the meaning and purpose of these prohibitions on Yom Kippur? An anthropologist visiting a synagogue on Yom Kippur might think that since no one is eating or drinking for an entire 24-hour period, the congregants are all suffering terribly. ...
Read MoreWhatever issues you have, they can't continue, so the Jews have a "General Strike" View this video directly on Vimeo.
Read MoreG-d ultimately wants what is ultimately good for us, and it behooves us to remember this in our own personal prayers. View this video directly on Vimeo.
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According to Jewish tradition, before God created the first human being, a debate took place in the heavenly court. When the Holy One blessed Be He came to create man, the ministering angels formed into groups, some saying that man should be created, some saying that he should not be created…[the angel of] Kindness voted to create man, because people would perform acts of kindness,[the angel of] Peace voted not to ...
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