http://www.innerstream.ca/blog Insights into Torah, the weekly Parsha, Holidays & Life Cycle Events. en-us Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:02:10 -0500 B'Chukotai Blogware Rabbi Lazer http://www.innerstream.ca/blog/_archives/2011/5/15/4817781.html http://www.innerstream.ca/blog/_archives/2011/5/15/4817781.html Sun, 15 May 2011 20:24:00 -0400 If G-d is all benevolent, why does He punish? Why can't He just forgive? B'Chukotai Healing Consequence Freechoice punishment Illness Rabbi Lazer http://www.innerstream.ca/blog/_archives/2008/5/16/3694338.html http://www.innerstream.ca/blog/_archives/2008/5/16/3694338.html Fri, 16 May 2008 14:14:00 -0400 Seven Thoughts for Seven Days B'Chukotai Torah Rabbi Lazer http://www.innerstream.ca/blog/_archives/2007/5/5/2928344.html http://www.innerstream.ca/blog/_archives/2007/5/5/2928344.html Sat, 05 May 2007 23:44:00 -0400 Judaism is replete with divine edicts and commands that cover nearly every facet of human life. From waking to sleeping, from the way we dress to the way we eat, everything is governed by religious law. Everything must be done in accordance with G-d's will. But what of our will? Aren't we important too? B'Chukotai liberty Rabbi Lazer http://www.innerstream.ca/blog/_archives/2006/5/6/1938083.html http://www.innerstream.ca/blog/_archives/2006/5/6/1938083.html Sat, 06 May 2006 23:48:00 -0400 This week’s Parsha begins with an assurance from G-d that if we observe his commandments he will grant us many rewards including prosperity, safety, peace and national sovereignty. Many commentators have wondered why all the enumerated rewards are of a physical nature, are we not destined for spiritual reward in the world to come? Why does the Torah omit the primary rewards and emphasize only the secondary rewards? B'Chukotai Life Rabbi Lazer http://www.innerstream.ca/blog/_archives/2006/1/11/1658958.html http://www.innerstream.ca/blog/_archives/2006/1/11/1658958.html Wed, 11 Jan 2006 23:11:00 -0500 The Jewish mystics taught that the Torah statutes are the proverbial organs and limbs of the creator's proverbial body. The two hundred and forty-eight positive commandments correspond to the two hundred and forty-eight limbs of the human body. The three hundred and sixty-five negative commandments correspond to the three hundred and sixty-five sinews in the human body. B'Chukotai