Passover is always observed in spring, on the fifteenth day of the Hebrew month of Nissan (around March or April). The Torah describes the month in which Passover falls as the first month, and emphasizes several times that Pesach occurs in the springtime. In terms of the creation of the Jewish people as a nation,…
Rabbi Mordechai Becher looks back at Purim, and tries to take out a few “good” ideas from the holiday. View this video directly on Vimeo.
Parshat Shemini contains within it many of the basic dietary laws of the Torah, known as kashrut. Anthropologists have viewed the laws of Kashrut as superstitious taboos, or as a reflection of the eating habits and norms of the ancient Near East. One author explained the prohibitions of Kashrut as purely a matter of economic…
Rabbi Mordechai Becher discusses Parshas Zachor, which is read on Shabbat in synagogues. This short paragraph tells us to destroy the nation of Amalek. Amalek was so consumed with their hatred of the Jewish people that they were prepared to even destroy themselves if they could destroy the Jews at the same time. Interestingly the…
Although it became part of the Bible, known in English as the Book of Esther, the account of the Purim events never mentions the name of God, though there are veiled allusions. This surprising omission actually reflects a central theme of the Purim holiday. On Purim we celebrate the fact that the hand of God…
We are about 3 weeks away from Purim, the holiday which commemorates the victory over Haman, who sought to destroy the entire Jewish nation. While this episode in history took place about 2500 years ago, there are still people who seek to destroy the Jews. Today, these people take the form of the “BDS” movement. Rabbi…
In this week’s Parsha, G-d tells us not to kindle a flame on Shabbos, but none of the other 38 Shabbos prohibitions are mentioned. Rabbi Becher explains why this particular prohibition was singled out. View this video directly on Vimeo.
The Talmud states that when “the month of Adar begins we increase in joy” because, as Rashi explains, this is the beginning of a season of miracles and salvation marked by Purim and Pesach. And this joy is not just a remembrance of times past, it is rather a current celebration of miracles and salvation. …
Rabbi Becher explains that the leaders of the Jewish People are not determined by “Great Families” such as the family of Moses, but instead any one person who makes himself “great” can become a leader. View this video directly on Vimeo.
There has been a lot of talk recently about Jews wearing kippot in France, which many believe puts them in danger. I do not want to discuss what is appropriate policy, rather I would like to present an excerpt from my book, Gateway to Judaism, regarding men’s head coverings. The head covering worn by Jewish…