Archive for the 'History' Category
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 […]
To Stand Up to Evil
Tuesday, July 26th, 2022פרשת מטות-מסעי / כ”ז תמוז תשפ”ב After the initial retaliation against Midian Moses reprimands the Jewish officers for allowing the women to live. To understand this, we have to remember that the women were willing participants in the sins committed by the Jewish men that led to the war. That is why they had to […]
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
What is a Leader?
Wednesday, July 20th, 2022פרשת פנחס / כ”א בתמוז תשפ”ב In this week’s portion we learn the difference between real leadership and a leader that follows the crowd. Pinchas was not yet chosen to be leader but had a moral compass. Zimri had inherited his position as leader of the Tribe of Shimon and had no moral compass. Zimri […]
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
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
The Problem of Korach
Tuesday, June 28th, 2022פרשת קרח / כ”ט בסיון תשפ”ב On the face of it Korach seems to have a valid complaint. The truth is that it breaks down when we really look at it. This is the very common among those who seek power for the sake of power. They use democracy to bring their dictatorship. Share on […]
Facts, Not Opinions
Thursday, June 23rd, 2022פרשת שלח / כ”ד בסיון תשפ”ב The problem with the men that Moses sent out to scout the land was that they let their egos get in the way. They had a preconceived notion and bent the facts to their opinions. A true spy is unknown to all and presents the facts as they are, […]
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