Generally, we classify the commandments of the Torah into commandments that pertain to our relationship with G-d and commandments that pertain to our relationship with other people. There are some who had a third category, the commandments that govern the relationship between body and soul, in other relationship with the self. Generally, when we think…
In this week’s Torah reading, Vayechi, Jacob blesses his sons in a very famous, poetic and beautiful section of the Torah. This got me thinking about what we mean by a “blessing”. A friend of mine was in an Virginian airport, I think, and he was about to have his coffee and, as he normally…
Jews fast on the 10th of Tevet to commemorate the siege on Jerusalem immediately before the destruction of the first Temple. Rabbi Becher explains that this siege exists even today, whether it is the distortions by the media, condemnation by the United Nations, or the claims by Moslems that Jerusalem was never a Jewish city….
The Jewish calendar includes six days of fasting. Four of these days are linked to the destruction of the Temples and the exile of the Jewish people. These will be the focus of the following chapter. The other two, the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, and the Fast of Esther, Ta’anit Esther, will be considered…
Chanukah is a celebration of the miracle of Jewish spiritual survival. After millennia of attempts to assimilate us, whether through force or persuasion, we are still here. But, it is not mere physical survival that we celebrate. After all, the genes of the Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians and Greeks have also physically survived. The miracle…
The idea that any one people could be “chosen” or have a Divine revelation was completely contrary to Greek belief. Their campaign against Judaism and the Jews did not focus on physical extermination, but rather attempted to eradicate the Jews as a special people. One example of this effort was the Emperor Ptolemy’s translation of…
In a perfect environment, a dreidel could be stand on its tip without toppling. Rabbi Becher explains that in our world, the Dreidel must be spun from above in order for it to stand. This is a allegory for a Jew: As long as he continues to spin, he can continue to stand up. View…
Rabbi Becher explains that the Gemora describes a human as a “seeker”. John Glenn, who died during the past week, represents the idea of a human being who is a seeker – who goes “beyond” and is not content on where we are. View this video directly on Vimeo.
Chanukah starts in about a week and a half, and without doubt it is one of the most popular of our festivals amongst Jews in general, even if not observant. A lot of people identify with Chanuka, and there is a lot of misunderstanding of its significance. Chanuka marks a clash of cultures – Judaism…
Terrorists have started nearly 200 deadly fires in Israel over the past few days, destroying hundreds of homes and endangering thousands of lives. Rabbi Mordechai Becher discusses taking these tragic events and turning them around for the good. View this video directly on Vimeo.