Archive for August, 2024
There is A Promised Future
Monday, August 19th, 2024Tu B’Av is one of the happiest days of the Jewish calendar. It comes just 6 days after the 9th of Av, the saddest day of the Jewish year. The lesson is clear. There is a future, no matter what disaster befalls us we have a hopeful future. Share on Facebook
The Importance of All the Commandments
Sunday, August 18th, 2024The name of this week’s portion is Eikev, or heel. This is remind us to be as careful of the “minor” commandments as we would the “major” ones. Share on Facebook
We Are All Born Equal
Friday, August 16th, 2024The 10th Commandment stresses that we not be jealous of others. The Torah is for equality of opportunity but not of outcome. That is dependent on our abilities and willingness to use them to improve ourselves. Share on Facebook
Be A Light Unto The Nations
Thursday, August 15th, 2024When Moses discusses the boundaries of the Land we realize that the Jews would be in the middle of the world. This is because God’s plan is that the world is to observe how be a holy nation. Share on Facebook
Taking God’s Name in Vain
Wednesday, August 14th, 2024Taking God’s Name in vain can have a number of meanings. One of the most important is when a religious person commits a crime. Then the secular view it as “this is what a religious person does.” That is taking God’s Name in vain. Share on Facebook
The Meaning of the 9th of Av
Tuesday, August 13th, 2024Today is the 9th of Av. It is a day in which many disasters have befallen the Jewish people. The reason is that God chose us to be a light unto the nations & when we forget this then God withdraws His protection from us. Share on Facebook
The 9th of Av and the Cities of Refuge
Monday, August 12th, 2024The problem with an accidental killing is that someone died. That this comes during the week of the 9th of Av teaches us that we have to be careful with how we react to commandments of man to man. Share on Facebook
The Reason For Our Woes
Sunday, August 11th, 2024The ancients believed if they lost a war it was because their gods were weak. The Jews took the exact opposite view. We lost wars because we did not behave properly one to the other, that it was a punishment from God. Share on Facebook
Justice Must Be Pure
Friday, August 9th, 2024The Torah admonishes judges numerous times about being careful in judgement. That they cannot be concerned over the social or economic status of those before them pervert their judgement. They can only deal with the law. Share on Facebook
Leaders Need Wisdom
Thursday, August 8th, 2024The Torah informs us that our leaders need wisdom. Knowledge was not a prerequisite since people with knowledge but no wisdom make bad judgements. But people with wisdom know how to apply knowledge. 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