13 Lessons
Bo Sanctifying the New Month & the Land of Israel
We read in this week's Torah portion of Bo that G-d gave Moshe and Aharon the following commandment: "This month [Nissan] shall be the first of the months of the year for you" (Sh'mot 12,1). It is from here we learn the laws of how the rabbinical court sanctifies the new months and determines the holidays accordingly. One of these laws, as taught in Tractate Sanhedrin, is that this mitzvah may be performed only in Eretz Yisrael.
Articles about Hanukkah Torah, Light, and Chanukah
The Chanukah lamp represents the Torah. Although the sun, the moon, and the stars illuminate and unveil the presence of God, the Torah is above even them. The perfect Torah testifies to God's greatness more than any other aspect of creation.
Articles about Shavuot Shavuot - A Festival of Oral Tradition
Shavuot, the festival of the giving of the Torah, is a festival of Judaism's oral tradition. It belongs to the Torah scholars in each age. In every generation the Torah is given anew, and this day has the power to allow a renewed acceptance of Torah.
Shofar Blowing “One Thing I Asked” – No Confusion
The verse “One thing I asked of God” represents the essence of our spiritual task in the month of Elul. “That I dwell in the House of God all the days of my life” - just this. No confusion. When this is the case, Divine assistance is granted.