The mitzvah to thank Hashem after a meal, specifically one of bread, is mentioned in the parsha. However, the context of this mitzvah is very puzzling. Obviously, one must thank Hashem for the meal that he has just enjoyed. But the language used in the Torah does not emphasize that theme.
This Week in Pictures: Clean Speech & Tisha B’Av It was a meaningful week across The Jewish Experience as our community came together for learning, reflection, and conversation. From observing Tisha B’Av with our Olami Denver community to another engaging evening of Clean Speech Dialogues, we’re grateful to everyone who joined us. Take a look…
Moshe provides a glimpse of the future challenges that the nation will engage. Idol worship will entice them and some will indeed fall prey to the falsehoods of emptiness that appear to be real and existent. Of course, eventually the people will awaken to their massive error and return to Hashem after many years of futility and vacuity.
We often don’t assess well the results of our decisions. Being short-sighted is a problem which can lead to long term disastrous consequences. Perhaps that is a lesson to be learned from the destruction of the two Batei Mikdash that occurred on Tisha B’av.
From the Dugout to the Shabbat Table: Joe Kinsky’s story For nearly a decade, Joe Kinsky lived the dream. After growing up in Denver, he left home to play college baseball in California and Oregon before earning the opportunity to play professionally. His career took him through the Pioneer League, an MLB partner league. Along…
The end of sefer Bamidbar concludes that these are the mitzvos that were conveyed to the people ‘in the hand of Moshe’ whereas the conclusion of the previous sefer Vayikra ends that these are the mitzvos that were transmitted to Moshe. Why is there a variation of the language between the end of Bamidbar and Vayikra?
Finding Our Place: Becci Weiss’s Story When Becci first considered becoming a single mother by choice, she assumed she would have to make a difficult compromise. She had always been drawn to traditional Jewish life. The values, the rituals, and the sense of history and purpose all resonated deeply with her. But she worried that…
Today’s Jewish Joke of the Day comes again from our friend Sal Litvak, The Accidental Talmudist;
Lost in the Mall:
Max and Ruthie go to the biggest mall in America. After shopping all day, Ruthie realizes she’s lost track of her husband. She searches all over but can’t find him so she calls him frantically.
“Max, where are you? I’ve looked everywhere!”
Pinchas killed a prince of the nation who was intimately involved with a non-Jewish princess from Midian. Certainly, one would praise such an act of bravery ignoring the status of the person involved and instead protecting the nation from experiencing within its midst such a travesty. However, just the opposite took place.
Some of the most meaningful conversations begin with a simple question… and a room full of people willing to listen. Thank you to everyone who joined us this week for Clean Speech Dialogues. Together, we explored challenging ideas with honesty, curiosity, and respect, proving that meaningful dialogue is still possible. A special thank you to…