The Hebrew word Shechinah means “Divine Presence.” Although in reality, God permeates all of time and space equally, we are not able to perceive His presence equally in all times and all places. Venice Beach, California, (as a purely random example) is a place where the Divine Presence is well concealed, and Super Bowl Sunday…
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 continues to be one of the greatest of…
Two events in modern Jewish history of enormous significance occurred during the period between Passover and Shavuot — the founding of the State of Israel on the 5th of Iyar, 5708 (May 14th 1948) and the liberation of the Old City of Jerusalem by the Israel Defence Forces on the 28th of Iyar, 5727 (June…
The Jewish people’s journey toward nationhood began on Passover. The Exodus redeemed them from physical slavery and subjugation, but they 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 moments, the newly…
Passover celebrates a historic event – the redemption of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. God intervened in history, punished the Egyptian slave-masters and took His people Israel out of Egypt with miracles and wonders. With the Exodus, God created the physical entity known as the Jewish people and laid the way for their…
Matzah is the food of a humble slave, who does not have time to let the bread rise, and who eats foods that will leave him feeling full for hours afterwards. (Orchot Chaim on Haggadah) For this reason, matzah is called “the bread of affliction”. (Deuteronomy 16:3) The fact that the Jewish people ate slave…
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 Chodesh,…
In Jewish tradition, an entire set of laws governs how we speak about, and to, other people. These are known as the laws of Lashon Hara, “Evil Speech (literally – tongue).” They include prohibitions against any speech that may damage another person or cause emotional distress. Insults, lies and breaches of confidence are all forbidden….
One of the most peculiar laws of Purim is the obligation to drink wine, and even become intoxicated. As the Talmud states, “A person is obligated to become inebriated on Purim, until he does not know the difference between ‘Blessed is Mordechai and cursed is Haman.’” Excessive drinking is frowned upon by Jewish law, yet…
Although it became part of the Bible, known in English as the Book of Esther, the account never mentions the name of God, though there are veiled allusions. This surprising omission actually reflects a central theme of this holiday. On Purim we celebrate the fact that the hand of God guides us, even at times…