Blue Laws and the Supreme Court
In honor of the first session of the United States Supreme Court (February 2, 1790), Jewish Treats looks at one of the first Jewish issues brought before the Supreme Court Justices: Blue…
No Stumbling Blocks, Please
In honor of Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month, Jewish Treats explores the Torah prohibition “Do not put a stumbling block before the blind” (Leviticus 19:14). On the…
Terumah 5782-2022
“Being Transported by Torah” (updated and revised from Terumah 5764-2004) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Terumah, the Al-mighty reveals His plans for the…
Indirect Damages
“An eye for an eye” as is set forth in this week’s Torah portion, Mishpatim, (Exodus 21:24) is one of the most commonly quoted phrases from the Hebrew Bible. This phrase, of course, is…
Your Actions Matter
Think before you act. Under Halacha and civil law, our actions have ramifications. To appreciate the underpinnings of the Torah law of an “eye for an eye” and the ramifications under…
Before Michigan
The foundations of Michigan’s Jewish community were laid by the German Jews who came to America in the 1840s and spread out across the continent. Jewish history in Michigan, which became…
Rabbi Israel Salanter and the Mussar Movement
The Mussar movement, the formal study and program of ethical improvement, was developed in the mid-nineteenth century by Rabbi Israel Salanter (1810-1883). Rabbi Israel’s family name was…
Mishpatim 5782-2022
“Justice! Justice!” (updated and revised from Mishpatim 5763-2003) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Mishpatim, contains an abundance of laws that cover a vast…
Word Magic
Did you know that the origin of the magical word “Abracadabra” is Hebrew? Well, it is! Therefore, you may enjoy today’s Jewish Treat highlighting the etymological connection of some…
Happy National Hugging Day
On January 21, 1986, Kevin Zaborney of Clio, Michigan, created “National Hugging Day”. Zaborney felt that “American society is embarrassed to show feelings in public” and felt that his…