602 Lessons
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
Ki Tetze FALSE MORALITY IS IMMORALITY
Why R. Yosef Blau & American Jewish Liberals' Critique Misses the Mark
The recent criticism of R. Yosef Blau and others, and in general many liberal Jews in America calling out the State of Israel, the IDF and settlers of Yehuda v'Shomron as "immoral", is totally off the mark. Instead of unity among Jews, and collecting money for children in Sderot, they inadvertently united with CNN, BBC, Al Jazeerah and the Gazans. Instead of blaming Hamas for the suffering in Gaza, they blame Israel. This issue is directly connected to the parsha which talks about guarding the holiness in Israeli Army Camps (both ancient and today!) which happens to statistically be the most moral army in the world, just as the settlers have by far the highest rate of altruistic kidney donors in the world.
Shoftim WHY 'DRAFTING GROOMS'?!- Parshat Shoftim
In explaining on this week's parsha that there are no exemptions from Milchemet Mitzva (obligatory wars), the unique (and admittedly surprising!) term used by our sages is: "that even the groom must leave the yichud room, and the bride, from her canopy" to go with Israel to war. This short and practical article with today's war in Israel, does not (!) deal with drafting women but rather offers 4 innovative explanations behind this surprising phrase.
Re'e FAMILY, REGARDLESS!"- Parshat R'eh
This short but "packed" article suggests an interesting story, as well as several innovative understandings regarding the machloket in this week's parsha how all Israel is termed the "children of Hashem", and why the mitzva of Ahavat Yisrael is unconditional. Not only should we see every Jew, even one who's actions are irresponsibly, as our brother, but even as our child!
Ekev IDF VICTORIES= BENTCHING= G-D'S RIGHTEOUSNESS- Parshat Ekev
Every time we say Birkat HaMazon and Al HaMichya, we appreciate Hashem's giving us the State of Israel, the IDF victories, and the Gathereing of the Exiles. When my relatives in Williamsburg & Meah Shearim deny and don't thank Hashem for Zionism and our modern national State & return to Eretz Yisrael, they are that much less religious, and that much less praising Hashem and recognizing that He , not the UN, runs the world, and that "He is righteous"! This short article brings many psukim which we say all the time in davening which are basically religious-Zionism in a nutshell. ‪Shabbat Shalom!
