Archive for the 'Culture' Category
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
Hanukah and Purim
Wednesday, December 21st, 2022Why do we say Hallel on Hanukah bur not Purim? What is the difference between the two festivals? 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
Admonish the Sinner with Kindness
Monday, October 24th, 2022פרשת 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. Share on Facebook
The Reason for the Flood
Sunday, October 23rd, 2022פרשת נח / כ”ח בתשרי תשפ”ג All ancient cultures record a flood. Only the Bible attaches morality for the Flood. Share on Facebook
Own Up to Your Actions
Friday, October 21st, 2022פרשת 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. Share on Facebook
To Make the Mundane Holy
Thursday, October 20th, 2022פרשת 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. 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