David Cardozo Academy

Machon Ohr Aaron and Betsy Spijer

Thoughts to Ponder

TTP: 156

Afterthoughts about Simchat Torah

Since Simchat Torah is the day in which we celebrate the Torah, its divinity, greatness and superiority, it is quite perplexing that there is no special mitzvah commanding the Jewish people to study Torah more deeply and for longer on this festival than on any other day. In fact little studying can be done since much of the day is occupied with dancing and singing and even the reading of the Torah is kept to a minimum: Specifically the concluding words of the Torah and not much more than some opening verses of Sefer Bereshith and a small portion related to some festival sacrifices in the Tabernacle.

TTP: 159

Why they Hate us at The Hague

“Some people like the Jews, and some do not.
 But no thoughtful man can deny the fact that they are, beyond any question, the most formidable and the most remarkable race which has appeared in the world.”  Winston Churchill (1)

TTP: 160

Mixing with this World

In one of its unusual passages, the Talmud (Eruvin, 21b) reports that King Salomon instituted the laws concerning the Eruv, i.e. “mixing of the realms” through which one is allowed to carry objects otherwise forbidden on Shabbath from one domain to another, private and public. At another occasion King Salomon instituted the ritual washing of the hands. Both decrees were received with divine favor and a heavenly voice issued and proclaimed: “My son, if your heart is wise, Mine will be glad, even Mine…” (see Mishleh 23. 15)

TTP: 154

Halachic Limits to Halacha

There has never been a period in Jewish history during which Halacha has been so challenged as in our days and in this country. For nearly two thousand years, Jews have been living under foreign rule and as such were able to play the role of what I call  “comfortable spectators”.

TTP: 129

“Not yet” Jews by choice

Reading the story of Yitro, Moshe’s father in law and a convert to Judaism, is a serious challenge. For sensitive souls it is not just a meaningful narrative but above all a painful confrontation with one’s own Jewishness.