Being Nice is Not Enough
Wednesday, January 3rd, 2024When Moses saw the Egyptian taskmaster beating the Jew, he looked around and did not see another man. This is to teach us to do the right thing even if it isn’t the nice thing. Share on Facebook
Be A Part of the Community
Friday, June 2nd, 2023The Torah stresses that we are a part of the community. The fact that even someone who lives off charity is required to tithe is important. We are all responsible for the upkeep of the community. Share on Facebook
We Are On A Mission From God
Monday, May 22nd, 2023God took us out of Egypt with a plan. We are to be a light unto the nations. That they should learn from us what a Godly society should be. Share on Facebook
Take a Stand
Thursday, March 2nd, 2023In the story of the Book of Esther all the action revolves around the fact that Mordechai refuses to bow down to Haman. What frustrated Haman was the opposition of Mordechai. That Mordechai stood against evil. Share on Facebook
Justice Needs to be Blind
Friday, February 17th, 2023The Torah admonishes judges not to take social status in consideration when rendering a judgement. Neither the person’s wealth nor poverty. All are equal before the Torah. Share on Facebook
Do Not Pervert Judgement
Thursday, February 16th, 2023The Torah admonishes judges to be upright and follow the law, even when the majority want it to do otherwise. The worst thing that can happen to a society of that there is no justice. Share on Facebook
Slaves Cannot Serve God Fully
Wednesday, February 15th, 2023If a slave states that he prefers slavery to freedom, he is punished. This is to teach us that slavery is not the normal state of a person. God wants us to be free people. Share on Facebook
Joseph’s Message to Jacob
Wednesday, December 28th, 2022When Jacob was told that Joseph was alive, he did not believe it until he saw the wagons. Why did they make a difference? Share on Facebook
Leaders Need a Moral Compass
Wednesday, December 14th, 2022The reason that Judah became a great leader was that he had a moral compass. And when he was wrong he admitted it. Share on Facebook
Seeking a Just Society
Friday, September 2nd, 2022פרשת שופטים / ו’ באלול תשפ”ב The Torah states “Justice, Justice you will seek.” Note that it does not say “you will do justice only that you will seek it. This means that while we are imperfect humans and will make mistakes, we will do our best to bring justice. 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