Something Spiritual

Does Judaism promote blind faith? Or logical analysis? These two approaches are generally opposing one another, yet they are both important. Faith alone is not enough, as man with his/her human involvement is missing. Logic alone is not sufficient, as G-d with his infinite nature is missing. Hence the need to find a balance of both.

Israel is our homeland and holds a special place in the our hearts. For the last two thousand years that Jewish communities have lived in the Diaspora, we have longed to return to the Holy Land and to be able to live with our own people. We also know that G-d's presence is felt more in Israel than in the Diaspora. So what should be our mindset so long that we are not living in Israel?

Shabbat and Yom Tov festive meals are part of the Jewish way of life. The Torah teaches us not to only cater for our own family, but to reach out and invite others to join us at our tables too. This is in fact hinted in the wording of the Kiddush made on Yom Tov day.

The Torah is so particular that we do not destroy or waste that which G-d has given us in this world. This is not just a quality which our grandmothers lived by, but it is a Jewish way of life. Yet, the High Priest on Yom Kippur every year would dispose of the garments he wore into the Holy of Holies and they would be buried in the ground. This practice requires explanation as it is in contrary to...

The world has changed immensely since Covid-19. The virus has created illness, chaos and confusion for the whole world. However, our rabbis have taught us that G-d does not bring pain to world for the sake of pain, but rather it is a process through which he brings cleansing and growth, similar to that of a parent disciplining their child. Challenges in life make us stronger and bring out inner st...

From the creation of the world, the snake has been a negative force in the world. He successfully persuaded Adam and Eve to eat from the Tree of Knowledge, despite G-d's warning, and since then he clothes himself in the garb of the evil inclination who tries to entice us to sin. Thus, the Torah prohibits us from eating anything that moves on its stomach, which the rabbis understand to refer to the...

Our bodies and physical pursuits can often be a distraction to our more meaningful values. For example. our head starts to process doubts and questions, while our stomach craves for more physical pleasure. However, it does not need to be this way. These powerful parts of our body can be channeled in the correct way and used to support our spiritual pursuits and service of G-d. This is the message...

Our bodies and physical pursuits can often be a distraction to our more meaningful values. For example. our head starts to process doubts and questions, while our stomach craves for more physical pleasure. However, it does not need to be this way. These powerful parts of our body can be channeled in the correct way and used to support our spiritual pursuits and service of G-d. This is the message...

G-d chose Moshe to be the leader to take the Jewish people out of Egypt. The Midrash teaches that G-d saw how caring he was to a small sheep that had left the flock, and decided that he had the qualities of a leader. Interesting that we don't find in the commentary that G-d chose Moshe because of his wisdom or IQ, but rather it was his heart that made him a worthy leader. "Prai...

Opening the doors to our home could be very refreshing, but it could also be a security risk. When the winds are blowing outside we generally prefer to keep the doors closed, so that we can keep safe and protected. So it is with the negative influences of the outside world; we need to make sure that our homes are safe and strong, otherwise we stand the risk of losing site of our own morals and val...

Certain practices of today stem from ancient rituals in the times of the Temple. Washing hands in the morning as we rise is one of them, as this is something the Kohanim would do every day as they began their service in the Temple. Interestingly, the Code of Law instructs us to wash our faces too, in addition to the hands and feet. However, this details was not done by the Kohanim ... so...

Living as a Jew in a non-Jewish world is not so simple. Dietary requirements, Shabbos observance etc., all get quite challenging when society around us are not keeping the above. So what should be our response? Give up? Wait until we retire and move to Israel? The story of the Megillah teaches us that we can live as observant Jews even while we are living in the Diaspora. The more confident and pr...

What is considered Jewish observance? Most people will answer prayer, Torah study, Keeping Shabbos, etc. How about exercise or going to work? These mundane activities are generally not considered to be part of the service of G-d. However, the Mishkan (Tabernacle) in the desert taught us an important lesson. Divine service does not only include 'holy' activities, but it also includes the physi...

Some parts of Judaism are logical and fit into our modern mindsets. Other parts seem to be totaly illogical and somewhat outdated. And so, we tend to pick and choose what we feel comfortable observing and what not. The truth is, however, that both types of commandments are equally important; ultimately they are both the direct word of G-d in the Torah. Sometimes we observe Jewish practices because...

Sleep seems to be a superficial activity. It is merely a means to an end, to give us the necessary rest to be able to operate properly the next day. However, the mystical perspective on sleep is very different. It can actually a very spiritual experience, which explains why the Jewish people decided to go to sleep prior to the giving of the Torah.

What is the purpose of prayer? Throughout generations the Jewish people have turned to prayer at a time of crisis. We turn to G-d and ask of Him to assist us through our challenges. However, there is more to prayer. Praying to G-d gives us an opportunity to leave the physical and to connet to the Divine. Our Forefathers taught us the importance of this experience and how the moment of prayer can p...

Rabbis over the generations have debated whether or not wealth is distraction to the service of G-d or enhances it. On face value it seems like they are opposing to one another. Wealth is physical and material, while the service of G-d is spiritual and holy, two entirely different worlds. However, G-d gives us a different perspective which goes back to the Jewish people in the land of Egypt.

Fire & Ice is not just a name of a hotel, but it was this combination that made up the plague of hail that fell upon the Egpytians. The Sages teach us that this was a miracle within a miracle. Fire represents warmth and ice represents cold. G-d was sending a message to the Egyptians which is also relevant to us today. Both are important approaches, it just depends how we use them.

What is the common denominator between Avraham, Moshe and Moshiach? Answer: They all used the same miraculous donkey to help them. This was not coincidental, but rather part of a process that the world at large has been going through and will continue to experience until the Messicanic Era. 

Every Friday night father's bless their sons that they should grow up to be like Ephraim and Menashe. Interestingly, we do not mention one of the 12 tribes, but rather we skip straight to two of the grandchildren of Yaakov. Why?

Punishment was never supposed to be indefinite. It is not a means of its own, but rather it services a purpose to a bigger goal. As soon as Yaakov's punishment of not seeing his son Yosef was over, Yosef made a quick move.

Crushed olives produced the best and finest oil for the Menorah in the Temple. This teaches us a powerful lesson about ourselves too. The challenges that come our way, are not there to break us but rather to strengthen us.

Joseph and Pharoah both had dreams, but there was a major difference between the two. The Jewish people have been taught how to balance the two worlds, the physical and spiritual. This is what makes our lives so rich and meaningful.

Reuven and Shimon were two sons of Yaakov. Each of their names represents a unique approach to Jewish observance and to many other areas of life. Reuven is associated to seeing and Shimon is to hearing. What does each one represent spiritually? Once we understand this, we will understand why the source for a Bar Mitzvah comes from Shimon, rather than from his older brother Reuven.

Fathers and mothers. They both play a role in our conception. What does that the father role represent spiritually? And does the mother role represent? It is interesting to note that the forefathers were named by their fathers, whereas the twelve tribes were named by their mothers. Why the difference? Here we gain an important insight into who we are, as a member of the community and as an individ...