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 Is There Conflict Between Evolution And Judaism? .: Viewed: 2578 times :.
The Torah and science are completely compatible. Judaism insists that this world is not the result of an accident or blind chance but the result of a purposeful Act of Creation. Once the principle of Divine Creation is accepted Judaism allows much latitude in belief as to how the creation was effected. Â There is no religious objection to the acceptance of the Theory of Evolution provided it...
Published: October 17, 2007 |
Yom Kippur's Mystical Challenge .: Viewed: 2601 times :.
The common perception of Yom Kippur is the ultimate "Don't - Can't" experience. Don't eatDon't drinkCan't even wash your face. For most people, Yom Kippur is an ordeal that we have to get through, an exercise in self-denial that is even more constricting than Shabbat.  The long synagogue service and repeated emphasis on guilt and sin turn Yom Kippur into a day of awe and anxiety despair...
Published: September 19, 2007 |
Mystical Message Of Sacrifices .: Viewed: 2323 times :.
The question of animal sacrifices during Temple times is something that can be difficult for us to understand today. According to Ramban (Nachmanides) the primary purpose of the sacrifice was that by being involved in the slaughter of an animal, the sinner bringing it would experience death vicariously. When the Kohen (priest) slaughtered the animal and burned it on the Altar, the aim was that...
Published: April 2, 2007 |
The Agony Of Agunot .: Viewed: 2645 times :.
"Kotzo Shel Yod" ("The Point on Top of the Yod"), the 1887 poem by Judah Leib Gordon, includes a description of the cruel harassment by rabbis of an unfortunate agunah (literally, a "chained woman," whose husband deserts her or disappears without divorcing her, thus preventing her from remarrying). Â The description is vitriolic, wicked, dishonest, and disgraceful, in the spirit of the poets...
Published: December 27, 2006 |
Rosh Hashanah's Mysterious Cover-Up .: Viewed: 2885 times :.
Why is it that we Jews celebrate the New Year at the beginning of the seventh month? Jewish tradition actually recognizes four New Year days (Mishnah Rosh Hashanah 1:1), but only the first of Tishrei, the one we know as Rosh Hashanah, is a major holiday. Â The mystery only increases when we remember that the Torah specifically identifies the month of Nisan, the month in which Passover falls,...
Published: September 20, 2006 |
Rosh Chodesh: The Gift Of Renewal .: Viewed: 2567 times :.
The Zohar, in explaining the importance of the new moon and our celebration of its renewal each month, states: "The Jewish nation is compared to the moon. Just as the moon wanes and seems to disappear into darkness only to be reborn, so too the Jewish people often appear to be overwhelmed by the forces of darkness, only to reemerge as a nation reborn." The main religious teaching of Rosh...
Published: March 1, 2006 |
The Menorah's Eternal Message .: Viewed: 2688 times :.
What is the Chanukak menorah's message for us in our personal lives? The Mishna (Avot Ch. 4) teaches, "There are three crowns: The crown of Torah, the crown of kehuna (priesthood) and the crown of monarchy." Corresponding to these three, with which Israel were crowned, there were three crowns on the Temple vessels. The crown of Torah corresponds to the gold crown, which was set on the Ark of...
Published: December 21, 2005 |
The Kabbalistic Secret Of Sefiras Ha-Omer .: Viewed: 2714 times :.
When did Judaism begin? The beginning was in two stages: A) the Exodus from Egypt - 'Yetzias Mitzraim', for which we celebrate Pesach; followed 50 days later by B) the Giving of the Torah - Matan Torah (Revelation at Sinai), for which we celebrate 'Shevuos'; together forming the foundation and establishment of the Jewish people as a nation (see Ex. 19:56; Deut. 26:16-19). This was best...
Published: May 11, 2005 |
Our Mystical Connection To Eretz Yisrael .: Viewed: 4495 times :.
The Jewish people's connection with its land cannot be compared to that of other peoples' with theirs. No other people has a prior title deed or promise regarding their country. Theirs is a purely earthly link, one characterized by neither spiritual nor sacred ties. Their relationship to their homeland is governed by the fact that their ancestors happened to settle there. Whenever a people or...
Published: August 4, 2004 |
Kabbalistic Secrets Of The Korban Pesach .: Viewed: 2554 times :.
In several places, our Sages view the Korban Pesach (Paschal sacrifice) as serving to break the ties of idolatry. We read in Shemos Rabbah (16): "We find that when the Jewish people were in Egypt, they worshiped idols, as it is written (Ezekiel 20:8), "They did not cast away the abominations of their eyes." Hashem told Moshe, "As long as the Jewish people worship the gods of Egypt, they shall...
Published: May 9, 2003 |
Does The Halacha Permit Us To Ascend The Temple Mount .: Viewed: 4030 times :.
Does Jewish law permit us to ascend the Temple Mount today? This may seem only like a halachic question, but it has far reaching political consequences as well. Shortly after the Six Day War in June 1967, the Chief Rabbinate posted a large sign at the entrance to the Temple Mount stating that it is forbidden to enter the Temple Mount according to halacha. This prohibition was reiterated...
Published: August 29, 2007 |
Israel's Eternal Bond to Jerusalem .: Viewed: 2438 times :.
As we celebrate Jerusalem Day, we are acutely aware that Jerusalem is the center of a heated and explosive political dispute concerning its future. Unfortunately, that dispute encouraged by President Obama's anti-Israel policy, has resulted in accusations that Jerusalem and especially the Temple Mount are not really central to Judaism. The Arabs even claim that there never was a Jewish Temple...
Published: May 24, 2011 |
A Childs' First Torah Lesson: Korbonot? .: Viewed: 3353 times :.
For centuries,(even TODAY in Chassidic Yeshiva Chedar), Jewish children traditionally began their Torah studies with Parshat Yayikrah. It seems odd that a child's entry into the world of Torah should begin with a study of the sacrifices offered to G-d. Why should it not begin with the narrative of Creation in the Book of Genesis or the narrative of Israel 's liberation from bondage in Egypt in...
Published: May 24, 2011 |
Sefirat Ha'Omer: How to Make Each Day Count! .: Viewed: 6614 times :.
Rabbi S.R. Hirsch explains that Sefirat Ha'Omer connects חרות הגוף of פסח with חרות הנפש of Shavuot. To be physically free and not to know what to do with one's life is not true freedom. One is still a slave to his יצר הרע . That is why...
Published: May 24, 2011 |
Will the Final Redemption Parallel the Exodus? .: Viewed: 2556 times :.
The prophet Micah said (7:15), "As in the days of your leaving Egypt, I shall show them marvelous things." His words imply that the Exodus is the precedent for the Final Redemption, as the Midrash expounds:
"Just as in Egypt, I shall redeem you in the future from subjugation to Edom and shall perform miracles for you, as it says, 'As in the days of your leaving Egypt, I shall display...
Published: May 24, 2011 |