Rav Kook Orot HaKodash Vol. I, pp. 83-84 Click here to listen. Know yourself, and your world; know the meditations of your heart, and of every thinker; find the source of your own life, and of the life beyond you, around you, the glorious splendor of the life in which …
AREN’T SACRIFICES PRIMITIVE AND BARBARIC? #Parsha Vayikra There are different opinions regarding the actual meaning of the animal sacrifices. Maimonides (1135-1204) understood the sacrifices as a divine concession. G-d recognized that when the Israelites left Egypt they were steeped in a religious culture that brought sacrificial offerings to their gods. …
You are Loved. Here and Now. #Purim According to Jewish Tradition, as soon as the Hebrew month of Adar begins we must increase our joy because the miracle of the Purim Story happened on that month. Purim celebrates the salvation of the Jews in the year 357 BCE from the …
The general failure of the spiritual disciplines to focus on studies pertaining to G-d has dimmed the conception of G-d; there is no rational service of G-d sustained by refined feelings. The outward fear, the natural faith and the feeling of lowliness remain in many hearts as an inheritance from …
LETTING GO OF EGO [Edging G-d Out] #Parsha Veyekhel Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you a holy day, a sabbath of solemn rest to the Lord. (Exodus 35:2) During the forty years that the Israelites wandered in the desert they …
SHABBAT: STOP IN THE NAME OF LOVE #Parsha Ki Tisa Keep the Shabbat for it is holy unto you…..because in six days G-d made heaven and earth: and on the seventh day He abstained from work and rested. (Exodus 31: 14-17) I stop and rest on Shabbat because if I …
THE GREATEST GIFT IS THE GIFT OF GIVING #Parsha Tezaveh In this week’s Torah Portion we are commanded to bring pure oil to the tabernacle to light the Menorah (candelabra). “And you (Moses) shall command the children of Israel, that they bring to you pure olive oil beaten for the …
Is G-d Beyond Us or Within Us? #Parsha Terumah The Torah recounts that G-d instructed the Israelites to build a sanctuary, telling Moses, “Let them build a sanctuary and I will dwell in them.” Note that G-d did not say, “I will dwell in the sanctuary.” G-d said, “in them.” …
God Wants You to be Happy When Rules Become Delicious Recipes for Your Soul “And these are the judgments that you shall place before them.” — Exodus 21:1 “You shall place before them, that is, like a table that is set and ready for eating.” — Rashi “Taste and see …
TU B’SHVAT: CELEBRATING PLEASURE The celebration of Tu B’Shevat — the 15th of the month of Shevat on the Hebrew calendar — is not mentioned in the Bible. The oldest reference is found in the Talmud, where Tu B’Shevat is called “the new year of the trees.” The Talmud ascribes …