Ki-Teitzei
Going out to war is not always a bad thing – so long as it is going “out” to war and not going “in” to war.
A plethora of Mitzvoth, connections, are iterated: from captives, burial, and found objects, to laws of mixology, intimacy, and immoral behavior. Laws of slavery, military camps, and economics, to marriage, fiscal responsibly, and divorce. Amalek (also symbolic of doubt) is the mortal the Jewish people. We always must remember Amalek and how they tried to squash our freedom as we left Egypt. We must erase any semblance of this darkness from the face of the light earth.
Amalek’s Number
Amalek is doubt. Baseless, irrational doubt that cools the fervor of holiness with nothing more than a cynical shrug.
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The Rebbe on the 60’s
G-d is not asking that we demolish walls or break down doors, only that we open up to him as the point of a needle.
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Staying Married
The Baal Shem Tov told a story of a dejected bride. The story is an allegory for the Jewish people’s relationship to G-d.
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Remember What Amalek Did to You: Symbols of Wine and Vinegar
A Chassidic discourse on “Remember what Amalek did to you on the road when you were going out of Egypt.” The symbolism of wine and vinegar.
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A Cup of Vinegar
What is the connection between Shabbat and Amalek and why did the people of Israel have a problem with remembering both?
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Ki Teitzei: United Or Ununited States ?
Vital life issues about the nature of the universe and our place in it are answered in the opening verse in this week’s Torah portion…
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Ki Teitzei: I Am To My Beloved and My Beloved Is To Me
In the last few centuries different approaches developed to find some way to relieve the tension between faith and modernity. This essay considers this idea
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Work and Play – Yesterday and Today
Work and play- a critical examination of the difference between an American and European approach to the work/life balance, which poses fundamental questions…
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