The Teachings of the Land of Israel contain a treasury of wisdom and ethical teaching that has daily relevance to each and every one of us. These teachings are imprinted with the special beauty and flavor of the Land of Israel.
Thoughts from Israel
Happy Birthday
When we are little, nothing excites us more than that long awaited birthday. It is a day when we are in the spotlight and everyone’s …
Evil inclination to Good
Even during the Days of Repentance, with Yom Ha-Kippurim right around the corner, we may find that our resolutions for the new year have …
Its a Miracle!
“Its a Miracle!” – These are words that all us have used and misused. When something unlikely happens we tend to call it a …
Yielding
We are often faced with a situation where we end up yielding to someone else even though we believe that we are equally entitled. This is …
Letter of the Law
The words of the Torah are absolute and literally binding. Even if we think we understand their purpose we must never deviate from their …
Love or Fear?
The Sages of the Land of Israel teach us that a measure of pragmatism must always be used when dealing with human nature. A person can …
Israel and the Nations
Jews all over the world are aware of the unusual hostility harbored by the Nations towards our people and our Country. Nevertheless, our …
Good Intentions. Bad Decisions
Even the purest of intentions can have negative repercussions. The Sages of the Land of Israel teach us that good intentions alone do not …
Our Blessed World
When we look at our lives and contemplate the world around us we may observe that one endeavor after another has failed on us. Some of us …
The Size of a Mitzvah
Many people focus their energies on what appears to them to be an important commandment or a Big Mitzvah, often neglecting what they think …
Salvation
When a difficult situation arises in our lives and especially for our nation as a whole, we turn to God with the hope that there is a light …
Everybody Matters
The Sages of the Land of Israel teach us that no matter how small our sphere of influence and no matter how profound the change we seek, …
Temptation
It is rare to find someone who truly and honestly believes that he is impervious to temptation. However, there could be certain situations …
“I Don’t Know”
We lay great stress on off-hand knowledge. Who hasn’t been impressed by the breadth of knowledge of a great scholar especially one …
Its not your Fault!
When misfortune befalls us some of us will introspect and search within our souls for its cause. We’ll ask ourselves what it is that we …
Honor Your Father and Mother
The Biblical commandment of “Honor your father and mother” is a universally accepted ethic known equally to Jews and Gentiles all …
Turning the Evil Inclination to Good
Even during the Days of Repentance, with Yom Ha-Kippurim right around the corner, we may find that our resolutions for the new year have …
Communal Responsibilities
Our Synagogues and communities abound with opportunities for the individual to step up and offer his or her services for the needs of the …
Do out of love. Do out of Fear
Some people worship God because they fear the consequences of disobedience. Even one who rejects a government will still abide by its …
The Land of Israel was the seedbed for an illustrious Poetic legacy which blossomed through out Antiquity. Israel’s poetry captures the essence and beauty of the Jewish People’s heart and soul.
Poetry of Israel
Productive Punishment
The Torah teaches us about Eve’s sin in disregarding God’s order not to eat of the Tree of Knowledge. Eve was swayed by the …
God-Mentor
Our moral and ethical standing on Earth determines our standing in the cosmic realm. What is more is that God’s personal …
The Scriptures were in the hearts of the Sages of the Land of Israel and at the heart of their teachings and discourse. They generated a profuse body of exegetical literature which brings out the deeper meaning and lesson of God’s word to the Jewish People.
Parashah From Israel
Letter and Spirit
The words of the Torah are absolute and literally binding. Even if we think we understand their purpose we must never deviate from their …
Nature obeys Israel
The Torah states: “These are the Lord’s Times, Holy Occasions, which you shall designate in their designated time” (Lev. …
God is our caretaker
God warns the People of Israel that one who slaughters an animal outside of the Tent of Meeting and not before the Mishkan in the Presence …
Stringency and Leniency
The Torah introduces the code of law that the Priest was to use in order to determine the ritual status of objects stricken with Leprosy, …
Wisdom of Women
One of the special services that the women were able to provide in the construction of the Mishkan was in weaving materials. This was a …
Man’s Lofty Intellect
Betzalel’s example teaches us that the same intellect has the capacity to divine God’s will, to understand God’s world and to reason …
Death and Mourning
God commands Aaron and his children to observe God’s watch for seven days at the opening of the Tent of Meeting. The meaning of …