In this week’s parsha, VaYetzei, Jacob has a vision of a ladder connecting heaven and earth, on which angels ascend and descend. At the top of the ladder, in his dream, he “sees” G-d standing over him. Now, there are many, many prophetic visions in the Torah, and many expressions that seem to assign some type of form or even body to G-d. We always understand these as allegory and ...
Read MoreOn October 27, 2018, a deranged man entered a synagogue in Pittsburgh, PA, and murdered 11 innocent Jews. Rabbi Mordechai Becher noticed that many people have been comparing this tragedy to the infamous "Kritallnacht" which occurred in Germany 9–10 November 1938, however, he takes exception to this comparison and explains why in this video. View this video directly on Vimeo.
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In this week’s parsha, Abraham mourns the passing of his wife, Sarah, and we, in the Jeiwsh world also are mourning the tragic deaths of eleven innocent Jews, gunned down by a rabid anti-Semite in Pittsburgh. I felt that it would be appropriate, for both ancient and current mourning to discuss some ideas about the soul, death, and the afterlife. The Jewish view of the human being encompasses both physical ...
Read MoreThe people of Sodom were destroyed because they would not offer hospitality to visitors. Rabbi Mordechai Becher explains why they thought they were doing the right thing - and how wrong they were! View this video directly on Vimeo.
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It is almost impossible to avoid media discussions about the clothes of the latest star in the British royal family. A segment of a talk show is dedicated to this, newspaper articles, blogs and twitter feeds dwell on the most minute details of the royals’ fashion choices. So, I thought that a few words may be in order regarding Judaism’s attitude to clothing, modesty and beauty. He has told you, O ...
Read MoreRabbi Mordechai Becher shows us two artifacts from his own family which demonstrate how the Jews were always thinking about going to Israel. View this video directly on Vimeo.
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The first words of G-d to Abraham are a commandment for him to go to Israel, Aliyah. Aliyah has been cherished dream of Jews throughout the centuries. In fact the very word aliyah means to “go up” because the Jewish people have always regarded moving to Israel as an ascent, an act of spiritual elevation. At times, this dream was realized, but more often, circumstances prevented it becoming anything more ...
Read MoreRabbi Mordechai Becher tells us that we must try to balance isolating ourselves from the evil in our world - similar to what Noach did - and reaching out to others to help them - similar to what Abraham did. View this video directly on Vimeo.
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This week we will be celebrating the first Rosh Chodesh, New Month, of the new year. The concepts and lessons contained in the Jewish calendar are so central to our belief that it is necessary to teach and emphasize them regularly. One of the ways in which Jewish tradition makes us aware of the cycle of the calendar and brings home its messages is by celebrating every new moon, Rosh ...
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Five days after the solemnity and intensity of Yom Kippur, Sukkot, the festival of joy and happiness, begins. This festival lasts eight days in Israel and nine 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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