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March 16, 2024 – 11:20 pm | Comments Off on Purim: A Nation United41 views

The die was cast. King Achashverosh granted Haman a genocidal license against the Jewish nation. Mordechai was one of the first to learn of the plot and he appealed to Queen Esther for help. Esther explained that it was dangerous even for her to enter the king’s chambers unbidden. Mordechai …

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Articles in Shmini

Because I Said So

April 14, 2023 – 12:37 pm | Comments Off on Because I Said So378 views
because-i-said-so

Because I said so, was a common refrain when I was young. We knew that we were more competent than all adults combined, and we constantly challenged our elders when we were instructed to do something. When the explanation was above our pay grades, their response was often, “Because I …

Semini: Kosher Fish

April 7, 2021 – 4:49 pm | Comments Off on Semini: Kosher Fish984 views
kosher-innerstream.ca

Kosher fish have fins and scales. In the Torah’s words, “Any [creature] in the water that has fins and scales, those you may eat.”[1] Though fins and scales merely indicate that a fish is kosher, there must be a reason G-d chose these two indicators. Why do fins and scales …

Shemini: Examine Again

March 23, 2019 – 11:37 pm | Comments Off on Shemini: Examine Again1,634 views
examine-again-innerstream.ca

Examine again, is a central feature of Torah study. We derive this from the words “examine, he examined”[1]  a description of an examination made by Moses.
On the inaugural day of the Tabernacle, Moses left instructions for a particular offering, and when they went unheeded, he investigated the matter. However, he …

Shemini: What Is Impurity

April 12, 2018 – 9:48 pm | Comments Off on Shemini: What Is Impurity2,680 views
what-is-impurity-innestream.ca

Why does one who eats non-kosher food become impure? What does impurity even mean?
Hebrew is a delightful language and if we pay attention to the words we can often gain insight into the meaning. The Hebrew word for impure is ta’me. The word is comprised of three letters, a taf, …

Shmini: What to Say on a Shiva Visit

April 19, 2017 – 4:10 pm | Comments Off on Shmini: What to Say on a Shiva Visit2,414 views
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Awkward
A Shiva visit can be awkward. Should you sit quietly or say something wise, should you offer to help or just offer a comforting hug? Most people don’t know what to do and devise creative solutions. Some give the mourner a quiet hug and a grave sigh before retreating to …

Shmini: Bribe Yourself

March 27, 2016 – 12:26 am | Comments Off on Shmini: Bribe Yourself3,039 views
bribery

The Bribe
This scene has probably played out in every family home. You are going to a wedding and don’t want to be late. But your children couldn’t care less and take their merry time getting ready. At your wits end, you do what any desperate parent does; you offer a …

Shemini: Silence is Golden

March 17, 2014 – 4:21 pm | Comments Off on Shemini: Silence is Golden4,061 views
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Aaron
When Aaron experienced the tragic loss of two sons, he responded with silence. He didn’t accept with silence, he replied with silence. The Torah says, “Vayidom Aharaon,” Aaron fell silent.[1] At first he cried, but later, fell silent.[2] It wasn’t a passive silence, he wrestled with himself to achieve it.
For …

Hypocrisy is not Kosher

March 31, 2013 – 5:45 am | Comments Off on Hypocrisy is not Kosher3,954 views
hypocrisy - innerstream

The Positive First
Every Jewish child will tell you that kosher meat comes from a kosher animal. Most Jewish children will know that a kosher animal is one that has cloven hooves and chews its cud. Some might even know that there are four animals listed in the Torah that …