Jewish Beauty

Sarah is described by the Torah as being beautiful. (Bereshis 12:11) What is beauty?  According to the Getty Museum ancient sculptors used canons—sets of “perfect” mathematical ratios and proportions—to depict the human form. The earliest known canons were developed by the Egyptians, whose grid-based proportions influenced Greek sculptors in the archaic period (700–480 B.C.). Over time, sculptors and painters sought to create a canon that would allow them to depict ...

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The Need to Know

It is clear from the Torah that there are obligations of the intellect as well as obligations of action. I am the Lord your G-d, Who has taken you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of slavery.  You shall not recognize the G-ds of others in My presence. The first two of the Ten Commandments obligate us to acknowledge G-d’s existence and His involvement in the world, and to ...

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Clothes Maketh the Man or Woman (or do they?)

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 ...

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Sinai, Every Week

Now that we have transitioned from the month of Tishrei, full of festivals and special days and prayers, we arrive at MarCheshvan, a month completely devoid of any festivals or special days. I think that during this time it is worthwhile to focus on our regular, daily prayers and their significance. During the morning service just after the silent prayer and it’s repetition by the Hazan (Cantor) a designated section ...

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