E-geress Online Torah Magazine

Two Words You Need To Know

admin — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 08:54:24 +0000

By Rabbi Yisrael Rutman There are two words that every Jew needs to know: L’chatchila and B’diavad. Though not as famous as Shalom Aleichim or Ben Gurion Airport, these two Hebrew words are nonetheless vital to an understanding of what Judaism is all about. L’chatchila means in the first instance, and refers to the proper way a thing should be done, in particular a Torah commandment. B’diavad (or b’dieved as some pronounce it) means after the fact, the way a thing is done when circumstances beyond our control prevent us from doing it in the best possible way.*

Two Words You Need To Know is a post from: E-geress Online Torah Magazine

The Return of the Ark

admin — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 20:16:19 +0000

Haman had just attended Ester’s first party but came home fuming because Mordechai didn’t bow down to him. Zeresh, his wife, suggested that he set up gallows 50 amos (about 25 meters) high and hang Mordechai on them. (Ester 5/14) According to the Midrash, Haman set out to find a piece of wood 50 amos
[continue reading...]

The Return of the Ark is a post from: E-geress Online Torah Magazine

Ki Siso

admin — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 21:01:55 +0000

by Rabbi Yechezkel Fox
Unequal But Fair By Oral Tradtion the Torah is divided into five Books, and these Books are split into weekly Parshas. Each Parsha is then split into seven sections. The use of chapters and verses, although used for convenience, is of gentile origin.
On Shabbat, the weekly Parsha is read and seven men are called up to read/hear a section each. These seven sections are usually of fairly equal proportions, so it is quite a surprise when we see in this week's Parsha, that the first two sections out of a Parsha of 139 verses, take up 92 of those verses, approximately two thirds. continue reading

Ki Siso is a post from: E-geress Online Torah Magazine

What Is Judaism? Or Why Short Questions Do Not Always Have Short Answers

admin — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 12:31:32 +0000

by Rabbi Yisrael Rutman The question is often asked, "What is Judaism?" It's a short question, and those who ask it are often as not looking for a short answer. I made a short trip to Wikipedia for an answer. The online encyclopedia defines it as "the religion, philosophy, and way of life of the Jewish people." This kind of answer will not succeed in dispelling the confusion about what Judaism is.

What Is Judaism? Or Why Short Questions Do Not Always Have Short Answers is a post from: E-geress Online Torah Magazine

Stick Figures

admin — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 20:44:31 +0000

Like most people, I have never been able to draw more than stick figures. And so, each time the need has arisen to draw something I have been frustrated by that limitation, the inability of the hand to illustrate what the eye can see beyond the most primitive results. But recently I have found a certain consolation in the discovery that there is more to stick figures than I thought.

Stick Figures is a post from: E-geress Online Torah Magazine

Parshas Bo

admin — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 07:53:07 +0000

by Rabbi Yechezkel Fox Pharaoh in Pajamas: The Physiognomy of the Fallen After the plague of darkness, Pharaoh told Moshe that he didn't want to see him any more. Moshe said, "True have you spoken. I shall never see your face again." Ch.10/29 Nevertheless, we do find that they met again, during the night of the slaying of the first-born (see12/31). But this requires explanation, since Moshe was a man of truth, and his words were prophecy. Is it possible that he was wrong? continue reading

Parshas Bo is a post from: E-geress Online Torah Magazine

Two Hundred Million Tweets A Day Can’t Be Wrong

admin — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 20:49:56 +0000

Once upon a time, sociologists wondered how people would cope over time with the anonymity and uprootedness of urban life. Today, we have an answer: Social networking. Twitter, Facebook and the others have enabled millions to make connections and to some extent overcome loneliness.

Two Hundred Million Tweets A Day Can’t Be Wrong is a post from: E-geress Online Torah Magazine

Parshas Vayechi

admin — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:39:55 +0000

Sword and Bow And I have given you Shechem - one (portion) more than your brothers, which I took from the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow. Ch.48/8 After Shimon and Levi killed all the men in Shechem, the surrounding nations gathered to fight with Yaakov. Here Yaakov tells us that he single-handedly defeated them with his sword and bow. Rashi quotes the Sages that his sword refers to his wisdom, his bow was his prayer. But how did the Sages know that these terms were not to be taken literally? Perhaps Yaakov was a mighty warrior, like Dovid HaMelech (King David) or Shimshon? continue reading

Parshas Vayechi is a post from: E-geress Online Torah Magazine

Chanukkah: A Happiness Greater Than Latkes

admin — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 20:44:51 +0000

There is something about Chanukkah. The joy of the festival, it has often been observed, crosses the religious-secular divide and almost every other barrier. It has even become a tradition in the White House, where Democratic and Republican presidents alike preside over a Chanukkah ceremony.

Chanukkah: A Happiness Greater Than Latkes is a post from: E-geress Online Torah Magazine

Parshas Mikeitz

admin — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 21:24:09 +0000

Three Hints to Chanukah As this parsha usually falls out the same time as Chanukah, we shall try and make the connection between them. The Greeks made three decrees against the Jews: Kiddush HaChodesh (sanctifying the new moon at the beginning of the month), Mila (circumcision) and Shabbos. To remind us of the eternity of the Jewish people and that our connection to the mitzvot can never be broken, all three of these mizvot are hinted at in the parsha. continue reading

Parshas Mikeitz is a post from: E-geress Online Torah Magazine