Entries for July 2015

Ve'etchanan: "Handling" the Truth

Ve'etchanan: "Handling" the Truth
“Opium of the Masses” [das Opium des Volkes] is how Karl Marx famously (or infamously, depending upon one’s perspective) referred to religion, although the phrase did not originate with him.     His philosophy... Continue Reading »
Jul 31
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Focus on Prayers, Jewish Holidays

Tisha B'Av Observance? Learn and Decide!

Tisha B'Av Observance? Learn and Decide!
Tisha B’Av (Ninth Day of the Month of Av) – the culmination of the "three weeks" and the saddest day of the Jewish year -- commemorates numerous tragedies in Jewish history.  It occurs this year on July 25th.... Continue Reading »
Jul 23
Posted in: Jewish Holidays , Jewish History, Jewish Rituals

Matot-Masei: City of Refuge By the Bay

Matot-Masei: City of Refuge By the Bay
How do Torah’s “Cities of Refuge” provisions compare with San Francisco’s “Sanctuary City” law? In this week’s Torah portion, Matot-Massei, the Israelites are commanded to designate six cities of refuge to... Continue Reading »
Jul 17
Posted in: Torah Commentary

A bird that you set free may be caught again, but a word that escapes your lips will not return.
Jewish Proverb