Archive for the 'Culture' Category
How To Become Holy
Monday, April 24th, 2023The Book of Leviticus tells us about the Temple service. Yet it suddenly takes a detour to discuss societal issues. What we are being told is that the Temple is just a building unless we behave correctly toward our fellow man. Share on Facebook
We Celebrate With Friends
Monday, April 3rd, 2023Any thanksgiving offering that we bring is too much for one person to consume. Yet it has to be consumed by the end of the day. This forces us to bring our friends to celebrate. This shows that the Pascal Sacrifice is also a Thanksgiving offering. Share on Facebook
We Are United by Passover
Friday, March 31st, 2023The Seder stresses the idea that there will always be those who wish to destroy us. That the defense against these threats is our unity. Share on Facebook
The Source of Evil
Thursday, March 30th, 2023In the Seder we are admonished to set the teeth of the wicked son on edge. The reason is that the source of his being wicked are the words that he abuses. Share on Facebook
Experience the Seder
Wednesday, March 29th, 2023The real message of the Passover Seder is that it is not an intellectual account of the story but an experiential one. We are meant to experience leaving Egypt. Share on Facebook
Be The Right Man For the Job
Monday, March 27th, 2023The Torah first tells us what to do and then announces who will be the High Priest. This is to teach us that more important than who is doing the service, that the service should be done correctly. Share on Facebook
Leaders Are Accountable
Friday, March 24th, 2023There were special offerings given by the leaders if they inadvertently made a mistake, both the religious leaders as well as the religious. The reason is that people will base their decisions on what they do and say. Share on Facebook
A New Beginning
Thursday, March 23rd, 2023The first commandment that the Jewish people received was to declare the 1st of Nisan to be the beginning of the Jewish year. Rosh Hashanah is the day that the 1st man was created. The 1st of Nisan is when the Jewish people became a people. Share on Facebook
Being Responsible for Our Actions
Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023The sin offering is brought for an unintentional sin. That is something that happened but was not intended. It is not an accident but it caused damage either spiritually or physically. We are still responsible for our actions. Share on Facebook
Do The Right Thing
Tuesday, March 21st, 2023The Torah gives a lot of rules and laws on the sacrificial service. The reason is to avoid us falling into anarchy and losing sight of what the service is for. 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