Introduction The lives and roles of Joseph and Judah, the two prominent sons of Jacob, have implications for the Israelites of today and the future. This article will examine their roles through history based upon classical biblical and rabbinic texts. Talmudic Sources Talmud – Sotah 10b Rav Chanin bar Bizna said in the name of …
Introduction The Torah may be interpreted in many ways. In fact Midrash Numbers Rabbah 13:15 states that there are 70 facets of Torah interpretation (literally 70 faces to the Torah) corresponding to the gematria of wine יין, indicating that the Torah study is both pleasurable and exhilarating. Many commentators add that the gematria of סוד …
Introduction An unusual siltation occurs with respect to Havdalah when the fast of Tisha B’Av is observed on Sunday, either because Tisha B’Av actually occurs on Sunday as in this year 5781 or it occurs on Shabbat but the fast is pushed off to Sunday. The reader may ask, “What is so unique to this …
Introduction There is a widespread custom to eat certain several types of food on Rosh Hashanah to signify a good and sweet year. This article will examine the different types of foods consumed today and provide an historical overview of this custom. Biblical Source Chapter 8 of Nehemiah describes a gathering of the Israelites in …
Introduction The Talmud (Rosh Hashanah 16b) states in the name of Rabbi Keruspedai in the name of Rabbi Yohanan,, “Three books are opened on Rosh Hashanah: one for the completely wicked, one for the completely righteous, and one for the intermediate people. The completely righteous are written and sealed for life; the completely wicked are …
Introduction Rosh Hashanah (השנה ראש) is the Jewish New Year which occurs on the 1st of Tishrei (biblically) and continues on the 2nd of Tishrei (rabbinically) even in the land of Israel. This article will focus on the following motifs of this holiday using the pardes method of exposition (i.e. literal meaning, exegesis, allusions, …
Introduction Rosh Hashanah (השנה ראש) is the Jewish New Year which occurs on the 1st of Tishrei (biblically) and continues on the 2nd of Tishrei (rabbinically) even in the land of Israel. This article will focus on the following motifs of this holiday using the pardes method of exposition (i.e. literal meaning, exegesis, allusions, and …
Introduction The Talmud (Sotah 4b-5a) strongly condemns the trait of haughtiness comparing this sin to worshipping idols, denying the existence of Hashem, and cohabiting with forbidden relations. In addition Rabbi Levitas of Yavne stated, “Be exceedingly humble in spirit for the anticipated end of mortal man is worms (Avot 4:4). Even Maimonides who advised to …
Introduction Many commentators have observed that the name of Moses is omitted from parsha (weekly reading) Tetzaveh. This anomaly is particularly surprising because his name appears in every parsha in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers. In the book of Deuteronomy his name is missing from several portions (i.e. Ekev, Reeh, Shoftim, Ki Tezeh, Nitzavim). …
Introduction The mishnah in Pirkei Avot 5:20 differentiates between an argument for the sake of heaven (לשם שמים), seek the truth and not for this sake (i.e. ulterior motives). Numerous commentators have discussed factors for determining the validity of an argument. This article will focus on the following factors: Torah sources Character of disputants Intrinsic …
