Archive for the 'Culture' Category
Duties & Obligations
Wednesday, May 17th, 2023The Torah takes a census of men of military age. This, in case the nation has to go to war. Considering that the main job of the Jews at the time was learning shows that we are obligated to do our duty to the nation. Share on Facebook
We All Have To Serve
Tuesday, May 16th, 2023When taking a census of the Jews in the wilderness the Tribe of Levi is not counted with the rest. The reason is that they are singled out for a special mission. They are to be the spiritual leaders of the people. That is why they were spread out among the people. Share on Facebook
We Are Moses’s Progenity
Sunday, May 14th, 2023When the Torah states that these are the progenity of Moses & Aaron, it mentions Aaron’s descendants but is silent on Mases’s. The reason is that Moses’s descendants were not leaders. Aaron’s descendants were. Share on Facebook
We Get the Leaders We Deserve
Friday, May 12th, 2023The Torah warns us that if we do not have a moral society we will suffer as a nation. We will get leaders who are unjust and corrupt. Morality comes from the bottom up. Share on Facebook
Bring Responsible
Thursday, May 11th, 2023The reason for a Jew to become a slave is that he is not able to pay his debts. But the Torah demands that he be set free in the 7th year. If he chooses to remain a slave he is punished because the Torah wants us to be free. Share on Facebook
We Are Still Here
Tuesday, May 9th, 2023Lag B’Omer is a festive day throughout the Jewish world. But the truth is we are celebrating that in spite of all their attempts to assimilate the Jews into Roman culture, we are still here as Jews and the Romans do not exist. Share on Facebook
Avoid Swearing In God’s Name
Tuesday, May 2nd, 2023The Torah admonishes us not to take God’s Name in vain. Many will go out of their way so as not to swear in God’s Name. It is a common Jewish tradition to say “without an oath” when we promise to do something. Share on Facebook
We Need to Be Reminded
Monday, May 1st, 2023The repeats the holidays over and over again. The question is why. Isn’t once enough? The answer is that we have to remember why God took us out of Egypt and what our mission is. Share on Facebook
Make Time Holy
Thursday, April 27th, 2023When we look at this week’s Portion, we see that the goal is to make the mundane holy. We do this by controlling our time. We should be cognizant of the limited time that we have and make the best use of it. Share on Facebook
Israel Independence Day
Wednesday, April 26th, 2023No matter how we count the Omer, Israel Independence Day falls in the middle of the mourning period. This is no accident. Israel Independence Day is the atonement for the sins committed by Rebbe Akiva’s students during the Bar-Kochba Revolt. 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