Murderers and thieves are punished: Logical.
Your ox gores mine — you pay: Logical.
Don’t mistreat widows, orphans or converts: Logical.
Don’t boil a kid in its mother’s milk: ????
This week’s Torah reading is called Mishpatim, which literally means “laws” but refers specifically to the logical, self-evident systems that all societies in all eras have accepted and protected.
However, [...]
When every dimension of heaven was folded upon the Earth at the reception of the Torah, as fine bed sheets upon a mattress, it was then that G-d said, “I have come to my garden, the place I most desired from the beginning.”
The angels were stunned. Here they are, praising their Creator in sublime harmony [...]
In Parshas Mishpatim there are many laws. The vast majority are civil laws. Among them, however, are laws which reflect the depth of sensitivity of The Creator.
“When a man will steal a bull or a lamb, and sell it or slaughter it, he shall restore five bulls for the bull (he stole), and four sheep [...]
Continue reading about Parshas Mishpatim – The Perfect Blend
For decades, athletes sought to break the four-minute mile. Sports writers wrote off this potential feat, claiming that human athletic prowess had reached its zenith. Then along came an Englishman, Dr. Roger Bannister in 1954, and without realizing it, propelled human potential to dizzier heights. He also heralded the mind-over-body movement that continues to dominate [...]
Some people feel that that they have no right to pray to G-d. “I’m not religious at all.” “Over the years, I’ve committed many sins.” “Since I’ve turned against G-d and transgressed His commandments, how can I approach Him in Prayer?”
Each morning, when we wake up, we say in our prayers, “My G-d, the soul [...]
The dualistic self is not a pleasant experience. While the higher self, the Nefesh Elokit, strives to grow, improve and adopt compassion as its norm, the ego self, Nefesh Behamit, seeks self-indulgent behaviour and pleasurable titillation. This is the challenge of “right knowing” and “right feeling” – the processes of sechel (mind) and middot (characteristics) [...]
The intimate Jewish relationship with G‑d is expressed in the idea that G‑d Himself keeps the laws of the Torah. The Sages tell us they are called “G‑d’s laws” because not only do they come from G‑d, but they are also kept by G‑d. This teaching helps a person understand more clearly how closely we [...]
Before you switch on your laser printer, read this:
A laser is a device that produces an intense beam of light of a very pure single colour. This beam can be made potent enough to vaporize a diamond, and precise enough to deposit a dot of ink 1/600th of an inch across in exact juxtaposition with [...]
Cyberspace, outer space, inner space. Genome maps, globalization, going to Mars. Smart cards, smart bombs, stem cells and cell phones. There is no denying it: we live in a new age. Science fiction has become scientific fact. And the question is asked: In this new world order, with science and technology changing the way we [...]
Continue reading about Is Religion Relevant to Intelligent People
The will of Hashem to see each other in incense and prayers dreams my love in Mincha Yerushalaim. Most of all know this world is fleeting and has purpose. People sometimes cannot see us who we really are. They don’t see our power and beauty. When I walk around in the world I just take [...]
