Kee Teitzei,Weekly Message

Kee Teitzei 5783-2023

“The Torah’s ‘Secret’ for Longevity” (updated and revised from Kee Teitzei 5764-2004) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald As we have previously noted, this week’s parasha, parashat Kee Teitzei,…

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Jewish Treats

Symbolic Foods

Since Rosh Hashana is the Day of Judgment, it is customary to eat simanim*, foods with symbolic meanings that invoke God’s blessing. We also recite a short prayer before eating them.…

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Jewish Treats

Majority Rules

After the Torah was given, Moses served as the sole judge of the Jewish people until a judicial hierarchy was established at the suggestion of Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law. One judge was…

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Jewish Treats

The Final Analysis

After the soul departs, it journeys to the gates of heaven where it must present its case for entry. The Talmud (Shabbat 31a) states, “When an individual is brought before the Heavenly…

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