Category: Culture

  • United We Stand

    In the end of this week’s portion the brothers are united in their love of one another just as the five Hasmonaean brothers were united in the story of Hanukah.

  • Hanukah and Purim

    Why do we say Hallel on Hanukah bur not Purim? What is the difference between the two festivals?

  • The Truth About Hanukah

    Hanukah is a celebration of the victory of a cultural war against the Greek culture. The Syrian Greeks were not interested in killing Jews, just Judaism.

  • Rely on God, Not Men

    Joseph relied on the butler to remember him to Pharoah. The butler promptly forgot about him. This was to teach that we have to rely on God and not humans to achieve our goals.

  • Morality Has To Have A Source

    When Joseph was confronted by Potifer’s wife he realized that Jacob would not approve of immorality. He based his morality on what he learned from his father.

  • Leaders Need a Moral Compass

    The reason that Judah became a great leader was that he had a moral compass. And when he was wrong he admitted it.

  • Admonish the Sinner with Kindness

    פרשת נח / כ”ט בתשרי תשפ”ג

    The Dimensions of the Ark were 30 x 300 x 50 which equal the numerical value of lashon (ל=30ת ש=300ת ן=50) meaning tongue or language. This was to teach Noah that he had to admonish the people to repent from their ways.

  • The Reason for the Flood

    פרשת נח / כ”ח בתשרי תשפ”ג

    All ancient cultures record a flood. Only the Bible attaches morality for the Flood.

  • Own Up to Your Actions

    פרשת בראשית / כ”ו בתשרי תשפ”ג

    The reason for the punishment of Adam & Eve was not that they had violated God’s one commandment. It was that they denied culpability.

  • To Make the Mundane Holy

    פרשת בראשית / כ”ה בתשרי תשפ”ג

    We learn about Hanuch in this week’s Portion. He was considered great because he made his labor for man a holy act.