Abraham’s Moving Test
The 39 prohibited labors of Shabbat are derived via the Biblical juxtaposition of the 39 creative labors that were employed in the building of the tabernacle, the Mishkan, and observing…
Words of Protest
Today is the World Day of Social Justice, a perfect topic for Jewish Treats, as Jewish law often addresses issues of social justice. There are halachot (laws) that dictate giving tzedakah…
The Greatest Treasure
The greatest joy in Judaism is meant to come from creating a relationship with God. Whether it be prayer or rituals or good deeds, seek out that which helps you create a relationship with…
The Birth and Death of Moses
One of the 13 principles of faith according to Maimonides is believing that Moses was the greatest of all the Jewish prophets. He was so great, that God feared he would be worshipped…
The Purim Story in Under 300 Words
At the end of an 180-day feast, Achashverosh, the King of Persia-Media, banished (some say, executed) his wife Vashti for refusing to appear at his banquet. He then staged an elaborate…
The Elder of Slabodka
Students who choose to study the history of the development of the twentieth century rabbinic leadership will likely come across the name “Slabodka.” The town for which the renowned…
The Jews and Martin Van Buren
In honor of President's Day, today's Jewish Treat shares the tale of how President Martin Van Buren intervened in order to help save the lives of Jews across the sea. In 1840, the news of…
Yitro 5785-2025
“Sanctify Them, Today and Tomorrow” (updated and revised from Yitro 5766-2006) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Yitro, we read of the great Divine Revelation…