With the start of the book of Shemos , we enter into a new episode of the Jewish story, we start a cycle of exile and redemption that we still live with today.  These weekly sedras are actually the ideal time to prepare new material and ideas for Pesach, because in the lead up to … More Shemos – The Turning Point

The Malbim draws a distinction between goyim (nations)  and amim (people). The term goyim (nations) refers to those non Jews who have no knowledge or awareness of Hashem whatsoever. Those referred to as amim (peoples)¸ do know that there is one G-d who created the world. However, even those amim lack an awareness that Hashem … More Everyone gets an upgrade

ג) סַפְּרוּ בַגּוֹיִם כְּבוֹדוֹ בְּכָל הָעַמִּים נִפְלְאוֹתָיו: Tell of His glory among the nations, among all peoples His wonders. Rav Hirsch explains that with the unfolding of human power and force is demonstrated in the relationships of nation to nation, as closed entities opposing one another, you shall have the courage to stand up and … More Bringing Hashem into the Conversation

  ב) שִׁירוּ לַה’ בָּרְכוּ שְׁמוֹ בַּשְֹּרוּ מִיּוֹם לְיוֹם יְשׁוּעָתוֹ: Sing to Hashem, bless His Name, proclaim His salvation from day to day. The Malbim notes that the word בשורה (proclamation), from which the word בשרו (proclaim) is derived is a term that is used for something that is somewhat out of the ordinary. We … More As if that would ever happen…

  ב) שִׁירוּ לַה’ בָּרְכוּ שְׁמוֹ בַּשְֹּרוּ מִיּוֹם לְיוֹם יְשׁוּעָתוֹ: Sing to Hashem, bless His Name, proclaim His salvation from day to day. The Malbim explains that those who just see Hashem as the Creator of the universe may well praise Him, whereas those who realise that Hashem is also the Source of all goodness … More Daily Salvation

ב) שִׁירוּ לַה’ בָּרְכוּ שְׁמוֹ בַּשְֹּרוּ מִיּוֹם לְיוֹם יְשׁוּעָתוֹ: Sing to Hashem, bless His Name, proclaim His salvation from day to day. As is well known, the word  ברכה means more than just ‘blessing’. According to many authorities, it is a request that Hashem extend more of Himself into the world. Therefore when we make … More Recognising the (Super) Natural

This weeks sedra marks the end of an era as the Jewish people make the transition from being a family to a nation. It is interesting to note that throughout the Torah we are always referred to as bnei yisrael. Despite the population explosion that takes place in next week’s sedra we are always one … More A Thought for Parshas Vayechi

The Malbim explains that this chapter and the one that follows it have the same theme. They both talk about how Hashem runs this world via the laws of nature. The laws of nature are nothing less than a concealed miracle and are arranged in such a way as to bring about the ultimate redemption … More Shir Chadash – The Song of Renewal

Rav Hirsch develops this idea by saying that any song that stems from this contemplation of this state of the future is called a שיר החדש. This is based on the Pasuk in Tehillin 33:3 which says שירו לו שיר החדש היטיבו נגן בתרועה , which he translates as, ‘Sing to Him a new song, … More Shir and Shira

Everyone says that today is the ‘easy’ fast. In most countries it comes in relatively late as we can manage breakfast beforehand if we wish, and it ends in time for supper. In fact today is the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. So in reality we are just skipping lunch. Perhaps we … More The 10th of Teves – Thoughts For Lunchtime