Back to School
With Labor Day behind us, most of the country’s children now return to school. Some jurisdictions begin the school year in August to avoid having classes during the heat of June. Of…
Ordaining with Both Hands
Semicha, which connotes rabbinic ordination, as understood today, consists of passing proficiency exams and receiving permission from one’s teachers to rule on questions of Jewish law.…
More Than “Because”
While the majority of the meanings of the words in the Torah are forthright, some appear to be syntax anomalies. One excellent example is the word “eikev,” which is used in Deuteronomy…
Calligraphy
In honor of National Handwriting Day, Jewish Treats explores the unique calligraphy practiced by a Jewish sofer (scribe). The Hebrew letters used in a Torah scroll, as well as on other…
Insights into the Burning Bush
The mid-December release of the motion picture Exodus: Gods and Kings is the most recent in a long line of dramatic recreations of Biblical narratives. Such dramas have been attempted…
Grammatic Multiples
Whereas grammar in most languages is generally assumed to be important because it creates structure and order, Biblical grammar also has a powerful effect on the meaning of a text. For…
It’s The Interpretation
From a distance, halacha, Jewish law, appears to be black and white. In reality, however, much of Jewish law is left to the interpretation of experts. A person with a legal question (such…
The Sadducees
Even after the miraculous victory of the Hasmoneans (Maccabees), the lure of Hellenization, with its grandeur and style, continued to subtly influence the Jewish people. This trend even…
The Meat of the Matter
There are few more specific kashrut laws in the Torah than the prohibition known as the “gid ha’nasheh” (the sciatic nerve). The Torah states “. . . a man wrestled with him [Jacob] until…
Dream A Little Dream
What is a dream? The vast majority of dreams are simply the brain’s way of understanding all the different thoughts and activities of the day. Other dreams, however, are more……