There is an intriguing and cryptic text about Dan in the Torah. In Jacob’s final blessing on his sons, in Genesis 49, Dan is compared to a “serpent” (נָחָשׁ; nachash). Dan shall judge his people as one of the tribes of Israel. Dan shall be a serpent...
This is a lecture by Prof. Rachel Elior of Hebrew University. If you are interested in Kabballah, Hassidism, Zohar, and the development of esoteric spirituality in Judaism, you will find this lecture very insightful. Dr. Elior is an expert in this area. However, a disclaimer needs to follow: Dr. Elior...
The lectures presented here were recorded with live audience participation and many of the questions and comments from the auditorium are included in the videos. The full Shema consists of Deuteronomy 6:4–9, 11:13–21, and Numbers 15:37–41. Its words communicate an entire set of deeply...
Why does Torah give fathers and husbands such power over promises their daughters and wives make? It’s unfair. Are women not capable of making good promises? Are they prone to overpromise? Of course, the answer to all these questions is NO. Women are just as capable of making good,...
In Jewish life, Shema is not exactly a typical prayer. It's a recitation of 3 paragraphs from the Torah: Deuteronomy 6:4–9, 11:13–21, and Numbers 15:37–41. What stands behind these sentences, however, communicates an entire set of deeply held spiritual beliefs, practices, and...
The worship of reason is arrogance and betrays a lack of intelligence. The rejection of reason is cowardice and betrays a lack of faith. Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel Anyone who reads Rabbi Heschel's writings knows that he was a man of reason, a truly deep thinker of his...
"The Dignity of Difference" by Jonathan Sacks presents a compelling argument that diversity should not be feared or suppressed but rather celebrated and embraced. By acknowledging and respecting our differences, we can foster a more harmonious and peaceful society. Rabbi Sacks emphasizes the inherent dignity and worth of...
This is a video of a lecture by Rabbi Sacks called "The Dignity of Difference" delivered at Duke University in 2007. The lecture is about 40 minutes long and starts a bit slow (Rabbi Sacks begins it @ 12 min marker). But if you enjoy deeper and broader thinking...
Offerings serve a purpose, often a symbolic visual purpose, to express something that words alone cannot. Words are effective most of the time, but sometimes only the actions are adequate. The Torah describes how Levites were shaved, purified by water and sacrifice, and reborn. Does that in any way describe...
