Archive for the 'Morality & Torah' Category
Don’t Be A Frog
Thursday, January 12th, 2023The Jews were not enslaved all at once. It was a step-by-step process. First special taxes were levied on them. Slowly more and more of their freedom was taken away until they suddenly realized that they were enslaved. Share on Facebook
Know Before Whom You Are Standing
Tuesday, January 10th, 2023When Moses was at the burning bush he was told to remove his shoes. One of the reasons was that he should stand on rocky ground so that he would feel the pain that the enslaved Jews were feeling. A leader has to understand the pain and suffering of their followers. Share on Facebook
True Repentance
Friday, December 30th, 2022When Judah confronts Joseph concerning Banjamin Joseph realizes that Judah has repented for his earlier actions. It is not enough to say “sorry”, you have to show through your actions that you have repented. Share on Facebook
Joseph’s Message to Jacob
Wednesday, December 28th, 2022When Jacob was told that Joseph was alive, he did not believe it until he saw the wagons. Why did they make a difference? Share on Facebook
Remember Why We Fight
Tuesday, December 27th, 2022The fast of the 10th of comes a week after we finish celebrating Hanukah. This is to teach us that the Hasmoneans lost sight of the reason for the war against the Hellenists. Over the generations they became Hellenists. When we lose sight of the goal we lose all. Share on Facebook
United We Stand
Thursday, December 22nd, 2022In 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. Share on Facebook
The Truth About Hanukah
Tuesday, December 20th, 2022Hanukah 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. Share on Facebook
Rely on God, Not Men
Sunday, December 18th, 2022Joseph 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. Share on Facebook
Morality Has To Have A Source
Friday, December 16th, 2022When 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. Share on Facebook
Leaders Need a Moral Compass
Wednesday, December 14th, 2022The reason that Judah became a great leader was that he had a moral compass. And when he was wrong he admitted it. 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