Smashing the Tablets
Today's date on the Jewish calendar is the Seventeenth of Tammuz. The sages declare that five tragedies occurred on the Seventeenth of Tammuz, which is why the day is observed as a fast…
Kee Tisah 5768-2008
"Moses Shatters the Tablets" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Kee Tisah, we read the dramatic story of Moses receiving the tablets of the Ten Commandments…
The Consequence of the Smashed Tablets
The Seventeenth of Tammuz is the beginning of the three weeks leading up to Tisha b’Av, the day we mourn the destruction of both the First and Second Temple. Read tomorrow’s Treat to…
Officers of the Law
The Bible in Deuteronomy states, “Shoftim v’shotrim, Judges and “shotrim” you shall appoint in your cities.” Most English versions of the Torah translate the word shotrim as “officers,”…
Father-In-Law Day
Jewish Treats would like to wish a happy Father-in-Law’s Day to all our readers to whom it applies. There are two prominent portraits of fathers-in-law in the Torah: Laban and Jethro.…
The Law Of The Land
For nearly 2,000 years, the Jewish people have been in exile. During this time, Jews have lived in nearly every country and under nearly every form of government, while, at the same time,…
The Law of the Land
For nearly 2000 years, the Jewish people have been in exile. During this time, Jews have lived in nearly every country and under nearly every form of government, while, at the same time,…
In-Law Ties
Until 100 or so years ago, marriage was, on the whole, a practical arrangement that provided stability for property and protection for women. Marriage in the modern world is defined as a…
An Eye For Civil Law
You’ve heard the phrase “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand...” And you’ve likely heard frightening stories of societies in which this biblical rule is applied…
Look Good and Comply with Jewish Law
Because the long tradition behind Jewish law usually has more grey than black and white, much nuance exists. Study Jewish law and experience the millennia-long tapestry of opinions and…