The Omer is counted for the final time on the 49th night. The following evening, the festival of Shavuot begins at sundown. Shavuot is the anniversary of the Revelation on Mount Sinai, when God communicated the Torah to the entire Jewish people and in so doing, revealed to them their national mission and purpose. In…
Two significant events occurred on Lag B’Omer, and though separated by many years, they both contribute to its special status. On the thirty third day of the counting of the Omer, Rabbi Akivah’s students stopped dying. Because the epidemic lasted thirty three days, the common custom is to observe thirty three days of mourning in…
The Kohanim represent an “Ideal World of the future” – somewhat similar to how Epcot Center shows us a future world. View this video directly on Vimeo.
For the Jewish people who came out of Egypt, the period between the Exodus and the revelation at Mt. Sinai was one of continuous spiritual awakening. Their relationship with God grew stronger and closer miraculous events occurred daily. For the Jewish people in subsequent generations, this period is also one of the greatest of times…
Do you appreciate the Modern State of Israel enough? Rabbi Becher lauds the only home of the Jews, which has made amazing progress during the past 68 years since it was re-established. Get a new appreciation of the State, and its miraculous accomplishments. View this video directly on Vimeo.
During the period of the Omer, between Passover and Shavuot two significant events in modern Jewish history also occurred — the founding of the State of Israel on the 5th of Iyar, 5708 (May 14th 1948) and also the liberation of the Old City of Jerusalem by the Israel Defence Forces on the 28th of…
Countdown to Sinai The Jewish people’s journey toward nationhood began on Passover. The Exodus redeemed us from physical slavery and subjugation but the people still lacked a national identity and purpose. This was conferred upon them only later when the Jewish people both heard and saw the words of God at Mt. Sinai. In those…
Passover celebrates an historic event – the freeing of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt about 3300 years ago. The Torah recounts how God intervened in history, punished the Egyptian slave-masters and took His people – known then as the Hebrews or the Children of Israel — out of Egypt with miracles and wonders….
Rabbi Mordechai Becher wonders what is so great about the “Great Shabbat”? View this video directly on Vimeo.
The mitzvah of “bris milah” is discussed for a second time in this week’s parha, and Rabbi Mordechai Becher asks what is so special about the number eight – the number of days after birth that the circumcision of a Jewish boy takes place. View this video directly on Vimeo.