What’s in the Book: the Twelve Prophets – Joel
The Book of Joel is a mere four chapters long. The prophet Joel lived in the Kingdom of Judea and prophesied during the reign of the wicked King Manasseh (c. 600 B.C.E.). Joel’s prophecy…
Tu b’Av And The Offering Of Wood
Tu b'Av, the fifteenth of Av, was celebrated in ancient times by unmarried maidens who went out on this day to dance in the vineyards hoping to be chosen by an unmarried youth to be his…
No Stumbling Blocks, Please
The prohibition “Do not put a stumbling block before the blind” (Leviticus 19:14) seems like an odd commandment. After all, who but a truly mischievous, mean-spirited prankster would put…
Western Wall History
The Western (Wailing*) Wall is the most accessible holiest location in Jewish life. With 28 rows of massive stones above ground (and 17 below), the Wall itself is physically breathtaking.…
The Jewish Reveille
The Hebrew month of Elul which began this past Sunday night and Monday, brings with it a few changes to the prayer service, one of which is the blowing of the shofar every morning (except…
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…
Tu b’Av and the Offering of Wood
Tu b’Av, the fifteenth of Av, which is today, was celebrated in ancient times by unmarried maidens who went out on this day to dance in the vineyards hoping to be chosen by an unmarried…
Western Wall History
The Western (Wailing*) Wall is the most accessible holiest location in Jewish life. With 28 rows of massive stones above ground (and 17 below), the wall itself is physically breathtaking.…
Eikev 5782-2022
“Is There Truth to the Notion of Spiritual Accountability?” (updated and revised from Eikev 5763-2003) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s Torah portion, parashat Eikev, contains…
Rosh Hashana 5783-2022
“Making Each Day Count” (updated and revised from Rosh Hashana 5764-2003) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Rabbi Yehuda Leib Alter (1847-1905), the second Gerrer rebbe and leader of Polish…