In this week’s parsha, Bo, Moshe demands that Pharaoh let the Jews out to worship God. When Pharaoh asks who would go, Moshe tells him everyone, men women, children, and even their animals. Pharaoh accuses Moshe of trying to “pull a fast one”, and agrees to release only the men, for only they worship. Was Moshe, in fact, trying to trick Pharaoh? Not at all. Moshe was teaching Pharoah that everyone can connect with, and serve, the Divine, each in their own unique way. Yes, even animals serve God, usually with the help of man. This is a fundamental...
Chanukah-Counting Money
In its discussion about the laws of Chanukah, the Talmud states that it is forbidden to use the light of the menorah to count one’s money, for doing so denigrates the importance of the mitzvah of the lights. This halacha teaches us a very deep lesson. Chanukah teaches us that miracles do happen. God is in control of our destinies, not us. Just the other night, sitting in front of the menorah, I started worrying about my own financial situation. How was I going to take control of my financial destiny? It’s all totally in my hands, right? Then...
The Spiritual Chamber
Last night, after visiting a new age type shop in Dizengoff Center (TA), I had an idea. Wouldn’t it be great if we had a room in the house that was totally decorated for “spirituality”? It would have candles and incense, hanging beads on the doors and windows, dim colored lighting, cusions on the floor for sitting, tibetan artifacts and music…use your own imagination to complete the picture. It would be awesome! A spiritual chamber from where we could beam ourselves up to the highest reaches of the cosmic universe. Then I realized that Judaism teaches something very different....
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