The Pluses and Minuses of Speech

To be wholly holy

The Duality of Jewish Time

Reasons behind the Prohibition of Sowing Mixed Seeds

from Siach Shaul 337-339

from Siach Shaul 337-339

Judaism’s Three Voices

KDOSHIM

Kil’ayim is not crossbreeding!!

Parshas Kedoshim contains one of the two places in the Torah where the Mitzvos of kKil’ayim are taught.

All of the Jewish People, Including the Street Cleaners

Who does God consider to be holy? What is a sanitation worker's job? What is Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu's response to someone who wants to be like a priest in the Temple?

From Priest to People

Something fundamental happens at the beginning of this Parsha and the story is one of the greatest, if rarely acknowledged, contributions of Judaism to the world.

Learn It, Then Earn It

‘Kedoshim Tehyu, Be Holy!” These opening words of our Sedra constitute the quint-essential “mission statement” of the Jewish People: Be holy throughout your life. But what does “holy” mean?

What Is the “elastic Clause” of Judaism?

Blind Advice

One of the very well-known commandments that appears in this week's reading of the Torah is the injunction not to place a stumbling block in front of someone who cannot see. Interestingly enough, Rashi in commenting upon and in explaining this commandment, does not treat it literally.

Overcoming Mazal with Merit

From Siach Shaul

Sanctity requires separation, as sanctity does not come to a person naturally. This is the essence of Judaism, whose goal is to, on the one hand, reach great heights, but on the other, does not deny the true situation.

Not just the Baba Sali can, you can too

Moment of Wisdom

Moment of Wisdom

What to Do With the Tattoo?

How Many Stories Tall Is the Jewish People?

A well known Rabbinic adage emerges from the succession of the next 3 Torah portions: Acharei Mot, Kedoshim, Emor – “after their death, they say Holy!” That is, as soon as you are gone, they talk about how holy you were! But there is yet another spin we can give to this phrase by slightly moving the comma: After the death of the righteous, speak!

More on Orlah

I transplanted a cherry tree in order to sell the wood I see that many cherries have grown on the tree. Are they prohibited as orlah? A sabra tree plantad as a natural border fence for his property, and placed a sign telling people not to help themselves to the fruit. Is there an orlah prohibition on the fruit? If I plant trees for wood, do I need to keep track of which year I plant the tree, due to orlah concerns?

Our Obligation to Be Good

One question which has challenged Judaism throughout the ages is why do we need so many commandments to fulfill our obligation to be good, kind, and faithful?

To be a Free Nation in Our Land – Part II

Becoming holy means putting up fences, which ostensibly makes someone less free. While the Torah writes that “Hashem descended onto Har Sinai,” that was only 10 handbreadths above the mountain

The Ethic of Holiness