Messages from August 2016

Rabbi O’s Weekly Parsha: Eikev (Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25) 5776/2016 Is Your Food from Heaven or Hell?

August 26, 2016
Deuteronomy
Eikev

Who feeds you manna in the wilderness, which your forefathers did not know, in order to afflict you and in order to test you; to do good for you in your end? (ibid. 8:16) Question: Why is manna-which fell daily-called an affliction and a test? Ancient Jewish wisdom says that the manna was Heavenly food; […]

Rabbi O’s Weekly Parsha: V’eschanan (Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11) Becoming Brave to Get the Love You Crave

August 19, 2016
Deuteronomy
Vaetchanan

You shall love Hashem, your G-d, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your resources. (6:5) The verse above informs the reader that there is a mitzvah to love G-d. A theological difficulty arises from it: How can love be an obligation? Love is a feeling; either you have it or […]

Rabbi O’s Weekly Parsha: Devarim (1:1-3:22) Tisha B’Av 5776-2016 A Useful Error

August 12, 2016
Deuteronomy
Devarim

Moses: I cannot carry you alone…you are today as the stars of the heavens in abundance. (Deuteronomy 1:9-10) Why couldn’t Moses carry the Jewish nation? The next verse explains, “G-d has multiplied you, and, behold, you are today as the stars of heavens…” Why did Moses use stars as the metaphor and not sand on […]

Rabbi O’s Weekly Parsha: Matot-Masay (Numbers 30-36) Forks Over Knives; Voices and Choices

August 5, 2016
Numbers
Masei, Matot

Rabbi O’s Weekly Parsha: Matot-Masay (Numbers 30-36) Forks Over Knives; Voices and Choices …but it must be purified with purifying waters. (31:23) One of the cryptic aspects of Jewish observance is the mikvah, a ritual body of collected rainwater or a natural spring. It is used on various occasions having to do with a change […]