FJRP Blog

Thoughts on Parashat Shelach 5785

Thursday, June 12, late afternoon. Rivkah and I are in Seattle, sitting at the restaurant nearby Pike Place Market. I looked at my phone and read the breaking news about the Israeli military campaign against the Iranian Islamic regime and their genocidal nuclear program. The news surprised me a bit – I didn’t expect it to happen so soon – but at the same time filled me with great hope. We were in the middle of our road-trip vacation, traveling across several states. And since this news broke out I have been spontaneously approached by at least 6 or 7 individuals, non-Jewish Americans, who expressed a complete support or full-blown admiration of the actions of the State of Israel and its military. Are you an Israeli? – asked a woman in the […]

Thoughts on parashat Nasso 5785

No matter if we are Reform, Conservative or Orthodox, there are at least two things that unite us all: 1. A common fate – we are all Jews at the end of the day, whether we like it or not. 2. We have at least one common goal – peace in the world. We differ in terms of visions of how to get there but the ultimate goal is the same and – what’s important – I believe – that the means we, Jews, undertake to achieve it are largely compatible.

Thoughts on Parashat Emor 5785

Parashat Emor contains two of the most fundamental commandments regarding worship in Judaism, two commandments that touch on the very nature of Jewish identity:

“Do not desecrate My holy name. I must be sanctified among the Israelites. I am the Lord, who made you holy and who brought you out of Egypt to be your God. I am the Lord” (Leviticus 22:32).

These two commandments are, respectively, the prohibition against desecrating God’s name—chillul Hashem—and its positive counterpart, kiddush Hashem—the commandment to sanctify God’s name.

Thoughts on Parashat Acharei Mot 5785

In ancient Israel, specifically during the Temple period, three types of tithes were practiced: the first tithe (ma’aser rishon), the second tithe (ma’aser sheni), and the poor tithe (ma’aser kesafim). The First Tithe was a standard tithe of 10% of agricultural produce (grain, wine, oil, fruits) and livestock. It was given to the Levites, who supported the Temple and its rituals. The Levites, in turn, would tithe from their share to the kohanim (priests). The Second Tithe was set aside during the first, second, fourth, and fifth years of the seven-year agricultural cycle. It was used to purchase food and other necessities to take to Jerusalem for festivals and to be consumed there; celebrate and enjoy God’s blessings by consuming the tithe in the Holy City. The Poor Tithe was given to the poor, widows, orphans, and Levites in the third and sixth years of the seven-year cycle. It was intended to alleviate poverty and provide for the needs of those in need.