Archive for the 'Culture' Category
A People That Dwells Alone
Thursday, July 14th, 2022פרשת בלק / ט”ו בתמוז תשפ”ב When Bilaam states that the Jews are a people that dwell alone he means that due to their morality and ethical behavior that will not find many others who would join them. When everyone else is immoral then the moral person finds himself alone. Share on Facebook
Bilaam’s March of Folly
Wednesday, July 13th, 2022פרשת בלק / י”ד בתמוז תשפ”ב When Balaam has an argument with his donkey, he misses the main point. The donkey is speaking to him. It is a classic case of the march of folly. That is following a disastrous path even when you know it will end in disaster. Share on Facebook
Respect Your Neighbor’s Privacy
Tuesday, July 12th, 2022פרשת בלק / י”ג בתמוז תשפ”ב One of the observations of Balaam was how the tents of the Jews in the wilderness were set up so that one could not see into another. The entrances were adjusted for this purpose. The Torah is teaching us that we must respect each other’s privacy. Share on Facebook
Great Leaders Admit & Correct Their Mistakes
Monday, July 11th, 2022פרשת בלק / י”ב בתמוז תשפ”ב Balaam is warned at the very beginning of this week’s portion that his attempt to curse the Jewish people is doomed to failure by no less than God. Yet he persists in the project. Why? He could not admit that he made a mistake in accepting this job. Share […]
The Roots Of Jew Hatred
Sunday, July 10th, 2022פרשת בלק / י”א בתמוז תשפ”ב In this week’s portion Balaam is the main character but it is named after Balak. The reason for this is that while Balaam does most of the work, he does so at the behest of Balak. Balaam is simply a hired gun. The reason that Balak hates the Jews […]
The Cure for Ingratitude
Friday, July 8th, 2022פרשת חקת / ט’ בתמוז תשפ”ב When the well that was following the Jews in the wilderness dried up after the death of Miriam the people complained that they had a better life in Egypt. What is amazing is that the people complaining were born after they left Egypt. They were totally taken care of […]
The First Supply Chain Crisis
Thursday, July 7th, 2022פרשת חקת / ח’ בתמוז תשפ”ב When Miriam died the well stopped giving water. The Jews were unaware that it was due to Miriam that they had water. It reminds us of all the people who are involved in supplying us with our daily needs. Share on Facebook
Our Leaders are Human
Wednesday, July 6th, 2022פרשת חקת / ז’ בתמוז תשפ”ב In this week’s portion Moses hits the rock in the wilderness to bring out water. God tells Moses that he did not do as instructed. He should have spoken to the rock. He was punished for this. The fact that the Torah records this is to underline that Moses […]
Prepare the Next Generation
Tuesday, July 5th, 2022פרשת חקת / ו’ בתמוז תשפ”ב One of the lessons of this week’s Portion is that Aaron, Miriam and Moses prepared the leadership to come after them. Do not assume that they will learn by osmosis. They need to be educated both in knowledge and in spirit. Share on Facebook
The American Roots of Israel
Monday, July 4th, 2022פרשת חקת / ה’ בתמוז תשפ”ב When the Vilna Gaon (d. 1797) read the American Constitution, he was convinced that the redemption was beginning. Article 6 states that there be no religious test to hold office in the US. This meant that Jews were full and equal citizens of the country. This was unheard of […]
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