Category: Uncategorized

  • Don’t Be Like The Idolators

    We can understand the abhorrence of the Torah to the customs of the non-Jews in the land when we see how they worshiped their gods. Especially child sacrifice, an anathema to the Torah.

  • The Curses Are Of Our Own Making

    The curses that Moses talks about are what will happen if the Jewish people do not keep the commandments in the Land. They will end up like any other nation and will, in the end become a footnote in history.

  • If You Can Keep It

    We are constantly made aware that our tenure in the land is dependent on what kind of society we create and keep. Many empires have been defeated because they crumbled from within before their enemies toppled them.

  • Keep Your Eyes On The Prize

    Moses extols the virtues of the Land of Israel to remind the Jews how fortunate they are. But he also reminds them that their stay in the Land is dependent on their keeping the commandments.

  • We Are Not A Normal Nation

    If we read the 2md paragraph of the Shma carefully we discover that God does not want us to be “normal” nation. We should be God centered. If we were to become “normal” then we’ll end up like many others and disappear.

  • Equality Before the Law

    One of the main commandments of the Torah is the concept of equality in the law. A judge cannot consider the social status or wealth, or lack thereof, of the litigants before him. He has to adjudicate the law equally to all.

  • There is A Promised Future

    Tu B’Av is one of the happiest days of the Jewish calendar. It comes just 6 days after the 9th of Av, the saddest day of the Jewish year. The lesson is clear. There is a future, no matter what disaster befalls us we have a hopeful future.

  • The Importance of All the Commandments

    The name of this week’s portion is Eikev, or heel. This is remind us to be as careful of the “minor” commandments as we would the “major” ones.

  • We Are All Born Equal

    The 10th Commandment stresses that we not be jealous of others. The Torah is for equality of opportunity but not of outcome. That is dependent on our abilities and willingness to use them to improve ourselves.

  • Be A Light Unto The Nations

    When Moses discusses the boundaries of the Land we realize that the Jews would be in the middle of the world. This is because God’s plan is that the world is to observe how be a holy nation.