Passover is NOT the time of our FREEDOM – it’s the time of our CHERUT. What’s the difference? In almost all English translations of the Passover Hagaddah we call Pesach, the “Season of our Freedom” (Zman Cherutaynu). And we declare “… it is our duty to thank and praise … [God, who] took us from […]
Surviving Exile – Joseph’s Secret
Joseph rose to the highest rank in Pharoah’s palace and became Egypt’s number one citizen. Yet in spite of that he remained true to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Here are some paraphrased words from one of my teachers, Rabbi Ze’ev Leff about how Joseph and his brothers did it. Joseph coached his […]
Jacob’s Secret Weapon against Esau
Jacob’s secret weapons in his Battle with Esav Esav had threatened to kill Yaakov after Yaakov received the blessings from his father Yitzchak. So on his mother Rivka’s advice, Yaakov fled the country to Laban’s home where he married Leah, Rachel, Bilhah and Zilpah. Yaakov amassed a fortune and eleven of the tribes were born. […]
Sarah: A woman of valor
There is a Jewish tradition for men to sing “A Woman of Valor” (Proverbs 31:10-31) to their wives just before making Kiddush over the wine and breaking bread at the Friday night Shabbat meal. It sings the praises of the Jewish woman. Tradition also says that it was based on the eulogy Avraham made for […]
I will bless those who bless you!
THE BLESSINGS OF ISRAEL This Shabbat we read the Torah portion about Abraham and the Promised Land. (Genesis 12:1-3) וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־אַבְרָ֔ם לֶךְ־לְךָ֛ מֵאַרְצְךָ֥ וּמִמּֽוֹלַדְתְּךָ֖ וּמִבֵּ֣ית אָבִ֑יךָ אֶל־הָאָ֖רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר אַרְאֶֽךָּ׃ וְאֶֽעֶשְׂךָ֙ לְג֣וֹי גָּד֔וֹל וַאֲבָ֣רֶכְךָ֔ וַאֲגַדְּלָ֖ה שְׁמֶ֑ךָ וֶהְיֵ֖ה בְּרָכָֽה׃ וַאֲבָֽרְכָה֙ מְבָ֣רְכֶ֔יךָ וּמְקַלֶּלְךָ֖ אָאֹ֑ר וְנִבְרְכ֣וּ בְךָ֔ כֹּ֖ל מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת הָאֲדָמָֽה׃ 1. And God said to Avram, Go for […]
Ready for Rosh HaShanah? 4 questions to ask yourself right now!
Should you get a promotion this year? A larger budget and expense account? Bigger challenges? Win the lottery? We’ve been trumpeting the shofar every morning in synagogue to help us prepare for Rosh HaShanah (Jewish New Year which begins this year on Monday evening September 6, 2021). The day is called Yom Teruah (Day of […]
Whispers from the Clouds of Elul
What is the hidden message that the clouds of Elul whisper to us at the end of the summer? Summer in the Galilee is almost over. I know, because on my way to synagogue this morning the sky was overcast. All summer long the skies have been clear, sunny and hot. And for the last […]
Crossing the Jordan – a Blessing or a Curse?
I took some of our visiting children and grandchildren down to the Jordan River a while ago to cool off from the summer heat. It’s only 8 minutes away and literally right next to where we make our Galilee Green Olive Oil. In the late summer afternoon, nothing feels more idyllic than paddling in the […]
Snow cause for celebration?
Snow is a rarity in Israel, and if it comes, it’s usually only the children in Jerusalem and Judean Hills and Tsfat (Safed) who get ready to make snowmen. But when it comes, it’s not just time to frolic, it’s also time to reflect on what this rare event in Israel really means. The Land […]
Tu B’Shvat – New Year for Trees in Israel
Tu B’Shvat has great significance in the agricultural laws that are relevant in the Land of Israel. The 15th day of the month of Shvat (which falls on Feb 10, 2020) is the cut-off date in the Hebrew calendar for calculating the age of a fruit-bearing tree. Each tree is considered to have its “birthday” […]