Jewish Wisdom

The post Parshat Vayikra – Korban – Closeness appeared first on Jewish Wisdom.

The post Parshat Vayikra – No Distance appeared first on Jewish Wisdom.

In last week's Torah portion of Pekudei, towards the end, we read how Moshe basically finishes building the Mishkan. He stops all donations, no more money is necessary, all the vessels have been constructed, everything's ready to roll, and they put up the Mishkan. Moshe supervises that, and then it says that the cloud of [...] The post Parshat Pekudei – Investing in Our Future appeared first on Jewish Wisdom.

In Parshat Toldot, we learn that Yitzchak became blind in his old age. Rashi cites three explanations from the Midrash and Talmud as to why this happened. One explanation is that Esav's wives burned incense to idols, and the smoke from that idolatry caused Yitzchak's blindness. This great tzaddik could not tolerate such tumah—such impurity. [...] The post Parshat Toldot – The Tears of Angels appeared first on Jewish Wisdom.

In Parsha Tetzaveh, the Torah commands us to create clothing, special clothing, for Aaron and his sons, for the Kohanim. And the Torah says the reason for that clothing is l'kavod, for honor, or litifaret, and for beauty. Now, there's no other mitzvah in the Torah that requires wearing special garments other than the garments of the Kohanim, [...] The post Parshat Tezaveh – The Priestly Garments appeared first on Jewish Wisdom.

A Chassidic story: A wealthy merchant would regularly visit the Baal Shem Tov and would donate large sums of money for the Rebbe's charitable causes. Eventually his fortune changed and his business failed, leaving him nearly penniless. When he went to visit the Rebbe again the Baal Shem, undoubtedly aware of the man's dire straits, [...] The post Elul – Preparing Ourselves for the Day of Judgement appeared first on Jewish Wisdom.

The Book of Devarim teaches us a very important life lesson about overcoming challenges and obstacles. The post A Life Lesson from Devarim appeared first on Jewish Wisdom.

A Yartzeit is the yearly anniversary (on the Hebrew calendar) of a person's death.  The day is commemorated by the recitation of the Kaddish prayer by the children of the deceased, and by giving charity, performing good deeds and studying Torah. We commemorate the Yartzeits of parents, spouses, family members and great spiritual leaders. As [...] The post Commemorating a Yartzeit [A Brief Insight] appeared first on Jewish Wisdom.

The first prayer in the Jewish siddur is recited when we wake up in the morning, while we're still in bed. Here is my translation of the prayer, from the original Hebrew: Thank you, oh living and eternal God, for mercifully returning my soul to me, great is your faithfulness. Let's break down the prayer [...] The post Modeh Ani – The Jewish prayer of thanks first thing in the morning appeared first on Jewish Wisdom.

In this podcast episode Rabbi Singer discusses the weekly torah portion (parsha) of Vayakhel and explains a couple of major topics discussed in it. You can apply the important lesson you’ll learn from this teaching to your daily life.   The post Weekly Parsha: Vayakhel [Podcast] appeared first on Jewish Wisdom.

In this podcast episode Rabbi Singer discusses the famous song Dayenu that we sing at the Passover Seder and explains the true meaning behind it. You can apply the important lesson you’ll learn from this teaching to your daily life.   The post Passover Seder: The Meaning of Dayenu [Podcast] appeared first on Jewish Wisdom.

In this podcast episode Rabbi Singer discusses the fundamental theme of the holiday of Purim: Hiddenness. It is reflected in the absence of God’s name in the Book of Esther and the reason we dress up in costumes. You can apply the important lesson you’ll learn from this teaching to your daily life.   The post The Hidden Lesson of Purim [Podcast] appeared first on Jewish Wisdom.

In this podcast episode Rabbi Singer discusses the idea of focus. Based on a personal story, he explores the tension we all face when our thoughts are torn between focusing on trivial manner and important things like God, family and relationships. You can apply the important lessons you’ll learn from this teaching to your daily [...] The post Focusing on the Important [Podcast] appeared first on Jewish Wisdom.

In this podcast episode Rabbi Singer discusses the weekly Parsha (Torah portion) of Vayikra. The subject of this teaching revolves around the true meaning of the sacrificial service — Giving. You can apply the important lessons you’ll learn from this teaching to your daily life.   The post Weekly Torah Portion – Vayikra [Podcast] appeared first on Jewish Wisdom.

In this podcast episode Rabbi Singer discusses the weekly Parsha (Torah portion) of Pekuday. The subject of this teaching revolves around accounting and taking stock, as well as fulfilling our own unique destiny. You can apply the important lessons you’ll learn from this teaching to your daily life.   The post Weekly Torah Portion – Pekuday [Podcast] appeared first on Jewish Wisdom.

Kosher is the Hebrew term used to refer to foods permitted according to Jewish dietary laws. These laws are based on various verses in the Five Books of Moses (Torah), which are interpreted and expounded upon in great detail in the Talmud and Jewish legal codes. The only reason that the Torah gives for the [...] The post What is Kosher? appeared first on Jewish Wisdom.

In this podcast episode Rabbi Singer discusses the weekly Torah portion of Vayakhel. The subject of this teaching delves into the essence of the sin of the golden calf and how the commandments address in this week’s and last week’s parsha serve as an atonement that sin. You can apply the important lesson you’ll learn [...] The post Weekly Torah Portion – Vayakhel [Podcast] appeared first on Jewish Wisdom.

In this podcast episode Rabbi Singer discusses the weekly Torah portion of Ki Tisah. The subject of this teaching revolves around the balance between expressing our individuality and being part of a community. You can apply the important lesson you’ll learn from this teaching to your daily life.   The post Weekly Torah Portion – Ki Tisah [Podcast] appeared first on Jewish Wisdom.

In this podcast episode Rabbi Singer discusses the weekly Torah portion of Tezaveh, which relates primarily to clothing worn by the High Priest in the Tabernacle or Mishkan and in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. The subject of this teaching revolves around the omission of the name of Moses and the important lesson we can [...] The post Weekly Torah Portion – Tezaveh [Podcast] appeared first on Jewish Wisdom.