Archive for the 'Uncategorized' Category
Creating Community
Thursday, March 20th, 2025One of the purposes of the Tabernacle was to create community among the Jews. Once people see themselves as a community then they will take care of each other. Share on Facebook
Wisdom and Humility
Wednesday, March 19th, 2025Bezalel was chosen to build the Tabernacle because of his wisdom and humility. He knew that Oholiab had abilities that he did not and that he had abilities that Oholiab did not. But together they could do a great job. Share on Facebook
Giving Within The Limits
Tuesday, March 18th, 2025In this week’s Torah portion donations were given to the Tabernacle. The donations were so great that Moses had more than enough. This is a trait of a Torah based society that they are willing to give more than is necessary. This is why the Torah places limits on how much one can give. Share […]
The Importance of Keeping Shabbat
Monday, March 17th, 2025The Torah emphasizes the importance of keeping the Shabbat. When we read what is prohibited to do on Shabbat realize that there is something much deeper than just not working. Share on Facebook
Hubris Before the Downfall
Sunday, March 16th, 2025Haman was the most powerful man in the world during the story of Purim. But he could not get over the fact that Mordecai knew that he really was nothing. Haman was full of hubris and that was his downfall. Share on Facebook
God Directs This World
Friday, March 14th, 2025It is clear in the Megillah that God is directing the action. While He is not mentioned explicitly, we can see His hand in the action. Share on Facebook
Survival Is Not Enough
Thursday, March 13th, 2025The reason that we do not say Hallel on Purim is that the status of Jews did not change in the story. They were subjects of Achashverosh at the beginning of the story and at the end. The only thing that changed was that they survived. Share on Facebook
Stand Up To Evil
Wednesday, March 12th, 2025Mordecai could have bowed to Haman. But he knew that would be wrong thing to do at that time. We learn from this that we are obligated to stand up to evil. Share on Facebook
Leaving Egypt Spiritually
Tuesday, March 11th, 2025The episode of the Golden Calf is amazing. These were witnesses to the actual Exodus, they crossed the Sea of Reeds. They were at Mount Sinai. Yet they built an idol to worship. It should be remembered that the hard part was to get Egypt out of the Jews. Share on Facebook
No Work Is Beneath Us
Monday, March 10th, 2025Bezalel was chosen to design the Tabernacle. First it was due to his wisdom. But more importantly it was it was due to his humility. He would any job that needed to be done, no matter how lowly. Share on Facebook
About the Author: Shlomo Bar-Ayal is an Israeli-American, or an American-Israeli (I could never get that right) who is unabashedly pro-Israel, pro-US and a great guy.
He has an open mind to opinions that he agrees with.
Besides blogging on whatever he feels like blogging about on any given day he enjoys learning Talmud, davening, being the candyman in his synagogue, smoking his tobacco pipe, giving tours at the Grand Lodge of New York, being involved in Freemasonry, and partaking in an adult beverage every now and then