Introduction The Midrash (Genesis Rabbah 14:9 and Deuteronomy Rabbah 2:37) identifies 5 levels of the soul. When discussing these levels the author would like to make the following points: It is difficult to explain these levels in concrete terms because the soul is a spiritual gift from Hashem while the language of man is primarily …
War of Gog and Magog – Appendices Introduction Due to the length of the article on the War of Gog and Magog the author decided to place these appendices in this article. (The interested reader may refer to both the main article and appendices using different tabs on the internet browser). This article provides detailed …
War of Gog and Magog -18 Introduction The prophets of the bible have predicted a final war of the enemies of Israel against the Israelites which will culminate with the arrival of the messiah and the establishment of the kingdom of Hashem. Many have tried to predict the date of this war and some have …
Introduction The Hebrew calendar, months and year, follows both the lunar and solar cycles, respectively. The months follow the lunar cycle of 29 ½ days (more exactly 29.53059 days), based upon the Mechilta on Exodus 12:2 as quoted by Rashi, meaning that a Hebrew month starting at the new moon may be either 29 or …
Introduction The sages of the second temple era introduced the practice of drinking four cups of wine at the Passover Seder on the night of the 15th of Nissan. This article will examine the many laws and measurements related to the 4 cups drawing from Shulchan Aruch and its commentaries. A companion article on this …
Introduction The sages of the second temple era introduced the practice of drinking four cups of wine at the Passover Seder on the night of the 15th of Nissan. This article will examine the sources of this ritual through the pardes method of exposition (i.e. literal meaning, exegesis, allusions, and secrets of the Torah), drawn …
Introduction The Ten Commandments are universally known by their fundamental importance and on their awe-inspiring manner of revelation. This revelation was witnessed by all of the Israelites and therefore forms the cornerstone of Judaism. The Torah records two versions of this revelation (Exodus 20:1-14 and Deuteronomy 5:6-18). A companion article on this web site “Ten …
Introduction The Ten Commandments are universally known because of their fundamental importance and due to their awe-inspiring manner of revelation. This revelation was witnessed by all of the Israelites and therefore forms the cornerstone of Judaism. The Torah records two versions of this revelation (Exodus 20:1-14 and Deuteronomy 5:6-18). Due to the length of this …
Contents Introduction The Torah relates that Jacob and Esau, the twin sons of Isaac and Rebecca (Genesis 25:24), went on separate paths (Genesis 25:27), Esau the hunter and Jacob the man of tents. Later the Torah relates that Jacob disguised himself as his brother Esau to secure the blessings from his father Isaac (ibid. 27:14-27). …
Introduction The Torah relates that Jacob and Esau, the twin sons of Isaac and Rebecca (Genesis 25:24), went on separate paths (Genesis 25:27), Esau the hunter and Jacob the man of tents. Later the Torah relates that Jacob disguised himself as his brother Esau to secure blessings from his father Isaac (ibid. 27:14-27). As a …
