Archive for the 'Israel' Category
Learn to be Grateful
Monday, September 12th, 2022פרשת כי תבוא / ט”ז באלול תשפ”ב This week’s portion starts with the commandment to bring tithes to the Temple. When this is done the person bringing the tithes makes a declaration of how grateful they are. This is one of the most important lessons that we can teach. We should all be grateful for […]
When You Go To War
Sunday, September 4th, 2022פרשת כי תצא / ח’ באלול תשפ”ב In this week’s portion we discuss behavior in battle. We might think that a soldier in combat might get a pass for immoral behavior due to the unique nature of being in battle. The Torah says no. He still has to behave within certain bounds. Share on Facebook
The Key to Jewish Exceptionalism
Sunday, August 14th, 2022פרשת עקב / י”ז באב תשפ”ב In the second paragraph of the Shma we see that if we want to be like all other nations, we will suffer the fate of those nations. If we want to be exceptional, we have to teach our youth why we should be exceptional. Share on Facebook
The Second Version of the Ten Commandments
Monday, August 8th, 2022פרשת ואתנן – י”א באב תשפ”ב The version of the 10 Commandments recited this week is slightly different from the original version. In this week’s version we have the word “keep” rather than “remember”. If we do not keep that Sabbath then there is nothing to remember. If we do not remember then there is […]
Believe in God & Yourself
Tuesday, August 2nd, 2022פרשת דברים / ה’ באב תשפ”ב The sin of the spies is recounted in this week’s portion. The real sin that they committed was twofold. The lacked faith in God being able to help them in conquering the Land of Israel and they lacked faith in themselves. Share on Facebook
From Theory to Reality
Sunday, July 31st, 2022פרשת דברים / ג’ באב תשפ”ב As we begin the Book of Deuteronomy, we see that Moses goes over those commandments that the Jews will have to carry out once they arrive in the Land of Israel. Up until now these commandments were taught in theory. Now they will have to be carried out in […]
Obligations Not Rights
Thursday, July 28th, 2022פרשת מטות-מסעי / כ”ט בתמוז תשפ”ב In this week’s portion the tribes of Reuben and Gad express a desire to settle east of the Jordan. Moses gives them permission provided that they remember their obligation to help in conquering the land. That it is not just about them but the whole of the people. Share […]
Why We Fight
Monday, July 25th, 2022פרשת מטות-מסעי / כ”ו בתמוז תשפ”ב The reason that the Jews were commanded to destroy Midian was because Midian had declared war on God and morality. Personal insults are one thing. Insulting God and morality are another. Share on Facebook
To Get to a City of Refuge
Sunday, July 24th, 2022פרשת מטות-מסעי / כ”ה בתמוז תשפ”ב When going to Jerusalem there were no directional signs. We want people to stop and ask directions. When going to a city of Refuge there were directional signs. We know that the person running to them is in a hurry and cannot wait. Share on Facebook
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
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