Yeshua Centered Judaism

SHABBOS NACHAMU

COMFORTING CONSOLATION (SINCE THIS SHABBOS IS “SHABBOS NACHAMU: THE SHABBOS OF CONSOLATION”) When I realized the similarities between these two uplifting stories, another connection occurred to me: and set into motion this chain of kindness ON TISHA B’AV, the anniversary of the day on which the Temple was destroyed. And according to our sages, what…

Parashat Eikev / פרשת עקב

Eikev, Deuteronomy 7:12 -11:25 The Big IF “If only [i.e. because] you shall hearken to these laws, safeguarding and keeping them, then Hashem your G-d will safeguard for you the covenant and the kindness that He swore to your forefathers.” (Devarim 7:12) If only you shall hearken to these laws – The Hebrew word is “Eikev” which can…

Fast of Tisha Be’av

Those Obligated and Exempt from the Fast of Tisha Be’avSomeone Ill with a Non-Life-Threatening Illness One who is ill (meaning that he is actually bedridden and the like, even if the illness is not life-threatening) is exempt from fasting on Tisha Be’av. When in doubt about one’s status, one should consult a prominent halachic authority….

Parshat V’etchanan

Parshat V’etchanan contains some lovely and powerful verses about the way Israel is, or should be, seen and understood by the other nations of the world, and how we should see ourselves. Moshe says: “Behold I have taught you laws and statutes which the Lord God commanded me, to do these things in the land…

Parshat Devarim

Parshat Devarim – [Administering Justice from Deep Sense Sensitivity, Empathy and From Personal Experience, as well as Judging Others Favorably] From HaGaon Rav Zevadia HaCohen Shlit”a, The Head of the Batei Din in Tel Aviv (translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds UK) This week we shall read the pasuk, “These are…

Shabbat “Chazon”

This coming Shabbat, which precedes Tisha Be’av, is referred to as Shabbat “Chazon” because of the Haftara read after the weekly Torah portion which begins with the words “Chazon Yeshayahu ben Amotz.” The three Shabbatot preceding Tisha Be’av are referred to as the “Three of Calamity” because the Haftarot of these three Shabbatot discuss the prophet’s rebuke of the…

Eating Meat Following Rosh Av

The Mishnah in Masechet Ta’anit (26b) tells us that on Erev Tisha Be’av during the last meal one eats before the fast, one may not eat meat, drink wine, or eat two cooked foods, such as rice and an egg. Although the letter of the law dictates that the prohibition to eat meat only applies…

Parashat Devarim

TORAH PORTIONSDevarim is the 44th parashah in the annual cycle of Torah reading, and the first one in the Book of Deuteronomy, the fifth and final book of the Torah. It tells of Moses addressing the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Land of Israel, delegating leaders, and retelling stories of their travels in…

Matot Adv

11. The world is maintained by two colors only Rabbi Yehuda and Rabbi Yitzchak talk about the wise-hearted women that spin and work with their hands, and from this they derive that those women combine Judgment and Mercy. We hear that Rabbi Elazar said that every woman is considered Judgment until she marries a man…

Parashat Matot-Masei / פרשת מטות־מסעי

1These are the journeys of the children of Israel who left the land of Egypt in their legions, under the charge of Moses and Aaron.These are the journeys: Why were these journeys recorded? To inform us of the kind deeds of the Omnipresent, for although He issued a decree to move them around [from place…

Tisha b-Av

“Tisha b-Av”The following blessing is said in place of the regular “Dwell within” blessing: “Have mercy O MAR’ YAH our ALLAHA, upon us and upon Israel Your people, and on Jerusalem Your city, the city of mourning and desolate destruction, which is given over to the hand of foreigners, sitting with her head veiled like…

Parshas Matos

Moshe spoke to the heads of the tribes (MATOS) of the children of Israel, saying: This is the thing (Davar) HASHEM has commanded. If a man makes a vow to HASHEM or makes an oath to prohibit himself, he shall not degrade his speech (D’varo); according to whatever came out of his mouth, he shall…