Yom Kippur
The Biblical holiday of Yom Kippurim (also known as Yom Kippur) – Day of Atonement – is the last day of the High Holy Days. The fast of Yom Kippur begins at sundown on the ninth of Tishri and continues…
Parsha Vayeilech
This week’s parsha is Vayeilech: Deuteronomy 31:1-30 Vayeilech (31:1-30) – (Then He Went Out) 31:1-6: Moses takes leave 31:14-18: Moses’ end draws near 31:7-9: Joshua 31:19-23: The Torah as testimony 31:10-13: Torah to be read during Succot 31:24-30: Moses gathers…
Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah falls on the first day of the Hebrew month Tishrei (although outside Israel it is celebrated for two days). The Torah calls Rosh Hashanah Yom HaZikkaron (the day of remembrance) or Yom Teruah (the day of the sounding…
Parsha Nitzavim
This week’s parsha is Nitzavim: Deuteronomy 29:9-30:20 Nitzavim (29:9-30:20) – (Ones Standing): Haftorah: Isaiah 61:10-63:9 (Ashkenazi); Isaiah 61:10-63:9 (Sephardi) 29:9-14: Renewal of the covenant 30:11-14: The Torah is accessible 29:15-28: Warning against idolatry 30:15-20: Choose life 30:1-10: The eventual repentance…
Parsha Ki Tavo
This week’s parsha is Ki Tavo: Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8 Ki Tavo (26:1-29:8) – (When You Enter): Haftorah: Isaiah 60:1-22 (Ashkenazi); Isaiah 60:1-22 (Sephardi) 26:1-4: First fruits 27:11-26: Blessings and curses 26:5-11: Declaration 28:1-14: The blessing for fulfilling the commandments 26:12-15: Confession…
Book Review: Exploring Sephardic Customs and Traditions
Book Review: Exploring Sephardic Customs and Traditions Exploring Sephardic Customs and Traditions Editor: Rabbi Marc D. Angel Publisher: Ktav Publishing House, Inc. Year: 2000 Pages: 69 plus addendum Sephardic Customs and Traditions is a brief overview of various important customs…
Parsha Ki Teitzei
This week’s parsha is Ki Teitzei: Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19 Ki Teitzei (21:10-25:19) – (When You Will Go): Haftorah: Isaiah 54:1-10 (Ashkenazi); Isaiah 54:1-10 (Sephardi) 21:10-14: The woman of beautiful form 23:20-21: Interest 21:15-17: The firstborn’s inviolable right 23:22-24: Vows to God…
Parsha Shoftim
This week’s parsha is Shoftim: Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9 Shoftim (16:18-21:9) – (Judges): Haftorah: Isaiah 51:12-52:12 (Ashkenazi); Isaiah 51:12-52:12 (Sephardi) 16:18-20: Establishment of just courts 19:14: Preserving boundaries 16:21-17:1: Blemished sacrifice 19:15-21: Conspiring witnesses 17:2-7: The death penalty for an idol worshiper…
Extra-Biblical “Proof” of Jesus
Today we will be exploring the alleged extra-biblical proofs for the existence of Jesus. Proof: Josephus mentions John the Baptist and Herod.1 Now some of the Jews thought that the destruction of Herod’s army came from God, and that very…
Parsha Re’eh
This week’s parsha is Re’eh: Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17 Re’eh (11:26-16:17) – (See): Haftorah: Isaiah 54:11-55:5 (Ashkenazi); Isaiah 54:11-55:5 (Sephardi) 11:26-32: Blessing and curse 14:1-2: A treasured people 12:1-7: Sanctity of the Land 14:3-21: Permitted and forbidden food 12:8-14: Private altars 14:22-29:…