Torah From The 6ix

Why can't we, as part ofthe chidlren of Yaakov, eat the sciatic nerve? Becasue of a battle between Yaakov and an angel. Seems like a very odd reason. What might be the meaming behind such a law?  

Why did Shimon and Levi destory the trick the people of Shechem? Where they justified in their actions? How do we understand Yaakov's odd reaction to their massacre? 

You purchase a comic book for $5. You do some research and discover that it is worth $100. You go back to purchase 4 more. The seller wonders why you are purchasing so many of the same book and does research and realizes the true value. Does the seller have a right to demand you give back all of books for $5 each? Perhaps just the last 4 (and not the first) since he did not know the true value of...

Enjoy the thought. Shabbat shalom!

You arrive in your hotel room and realize your forgot your can of ginger ale in the car. You decide to take a can from the hotel fridge to settle your stomach. Can you replace it with a can you buy from the local Walmart/Target to save yourself $2? After all, you are replacing the can you took with the exact same can; the hotel is not losing! Or must you pay the hotel the $3 that they charge for a...

What can we learn about prayer/tefilah? How tough it must to pray.... 

What does the Torah tell us that Eisav was called red (= Edom)? Why does the Torah tell us that Eisav asked for that  "red red" stuff to gobble up?!  

Your friend asks you to do him a favour that when you go to the shuk to pick up wine to please also buy rugalach for him. He gives you 35 shekels. The owner gives you the rugalach and says, “here are two extra for Shabbat kodesh!” Can you eat both of them? One of them? None of them?

Number 7? Number 6? Number 15? All connect to Jewish prayer!

You borrow a bike and offer to pay, whom you think is the owner, $15. When you return the bike you realize that you asked permission from the wrong person. Must you give the $15 to the real owner or can you just keep it? 

Why did Rabbi Sacks dedicate so much  of his time and energy to the siddur ? How did he understand tefilah ? 

What is the relationship between Torah and tefilah? How did Chazal construct the siddur to incorporate these ideas?

There is no question there lies a theological question as to how a just God could demand human sacrifice, I actually think the Torah itself is really teaching us a different lesson when it comes to the akeidah. 

Must you give a lift to someone you know who is waiting by a bus stop heading in the same direction as you? 

We have said it many times. Now let's stop and think about it in the context of halacha and hashkafa. What and why are we saying these words? Please join me each week as we grow together.

In the aftermath of the war of the 5 vs 4 kings, why does the Torah begin to tell us of Avraham's encounter with the King of Sedom only to cut the scene and describe the interaction with the King of Shalem m Malki Tzedek? What might these two opposite encounters teach us?  

Yishtabach - What does it mean ? WHy do we say it ? 

What is Kosher at the local coffee shop? What questions do I ask? Does it matter hot or cold drinks? 

Enjoy!

How much should we care and interact with others?

Chapter One and Adam's apple are just two examples! 

Based on an insight that I read 20+ years ago from, at the time and unknown Jewish scholar who is now a well known brilliant creative educator, Rabbi David Fohrman. You will not want to miss this understanding of a formative story in the Torah!

Rav Kook in a number of places in his writings discusses the ideal of the etrog, how its bark tastes the same as if its fruit thereby returning to the pre sin natural world, a world where the ideal of the process and means provides the same excitment and sweetness as the end itself. 

Why do we celebrate Sukkot? Are huts such great miracles? 

More one confesses the better?! Why does that even matter?