Agricultural Ethics (Excerpt from Mordechai Becher’s book, Gateway to Judaism) Since the 15th of the month of Shevat is approaching, TuBishvat, the New Year of Trees, it is appropriate to discuss the laws pertaining to the Land of Israel. Israel’s agricultural products are considered holy, therefore there are special laws that apply to them. The most well-known, was the obligation in Biblical and Temple times to take tithes, to separate a ...
Read MoreWhy did the Israelites have to cross the sea before finally believing in G-d and Moses? Harry Rothenberg explains. View this video directly on VIMEO
Read MoreRabbi Becher is in Jerusalem is in Jerusalem, and discusses the upcoming "snow storm", his Israeli grandchildren, and the wonders of living in Israel. View this video directly on Vimeo.
Read MoreHarry Rothenberg wonders why was Moses so angry when he left Pharaoh’s palace for the final time? View this video directly on VIMEO
Read MoreG-d recreates the world every moment, and we are supposed to emulate Him and renew ourselves at every moment, and not just do things by rote.. View this video directly on Vimeo.
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Now that we are in the month of Shevat I would like to continue my theme of the laws of the land of Israel. The seventh year of the agricultural cycle, is known as Shmittah, the Sabbatical year. In Israel, no new crops are planted and only maintenance work is done on crops and trees that already exist. Farmers may not sell their produce or prevent people (or animals) from ...
Read MoreMoshe was the "Greatest Of All Time" - as well as the most humble man ever. Harry Rothenberg explains how he can be both. View this video directly on VIMEO
Read MoreRabbi Becher describes a recent archeological find which contained the word "Yerushalayim" (Jerusalem) spelled with an extra "Yud" - and what that means to us. View this video directly on Vimeo.
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In this week’s Torah portion, VaEra, and in the Passover prayers and Haggadah, we emphasize the miraculous nature of the Exodus from Egypt. Moses’ staff became a snake, ten terrifying plagues punished the Egyptians, the Red Sea split for the Jews but drowned Pharaoh’s army and on and on. It does not appear however, that all of these miracles were necessary to expedite the redemption. God could have ended our ...
Read MoreHarry Rothenberg explains how G-d wanted someone with a speech impediment - Moses - to be the one who brought the Torah from Heaven to the Jewish people. View this video directly on VIMEO
Read MoreThe story of the Exile of the Jews in Egypt is a metaphor for the exile of the soul in this world. View this video directly on Vimeo.
Read MoreRabbi Mordechai Becher explains that it is the failure (the darkness) that produces the greatest success (light). As the Gemora says, "because I fell, that is why I got up!" View this video directly on Vimeo.
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