by staff | Sep 28, 2023 | Sedra
Efrat, Israel – What is the true symbolism of the succah? The Talmud (B.T. Succah 11b) cites a difference of opinion between Rabbi Akiva and Rabbi Eliezer as to whether the succah commemorates the actual huts in which the Israelites dwelt in the desert, or the...
by staff | Sep 21, 2023 | Sedra
Efrat, Israel – “Remember the days of yore, understand the years (shenot) of each generation.” Deuteronomy 32:7 Are we commanded to study world history? Certainly, I would say, on the basis of the simple meaning of the verse cited at the head of this commentary in...
by staff | Sep 14, 2023 | Sedra
Efrat, Israel – “And [Nehemia] said to them, ‘Go, eat delicious foods and drink sweet beverages, and send portions to whoever has nothing prepared, for [Rosh Hashanah] is holy to our Lord. And do not be sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength’” [Neh. 8:10]. Is...
by staff | Sep 7, 2023 | Sedra
Efrat, Israel – “For this commandment that I have commanded you today is not concealed from you, nor is it far away.” [Deut. 30:11]. How often it is that we — and people we know — say, “I can’t help it. It’s in my nature to get angry.” Or, perhaps most commonly, “I...
by staff | Aug 31, 2023 | Sedra
Efrat, Israel – For I have come to the land which the Lord swore to our forebears to give to us. Deuteronomy 26:3 When the individual Jew brings the first fruits of the Land of Israel to the Holy Temple on the Festival of Shavuot, he addresses God as if...
by staff | Aug 24, 2023 | Sedra
Efrat, Israel – When you go forth to battle…and you see among the captives a beautiful woman and you desire her…. When a man has two wives, one the beloved and the other the hated…. If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son… (Deuteronomy 21:10–18) Every once...
