If one is in search of a single codification that represents the essential core of Jewish belief, no source is better than the Rambam’s thirteen principles of faith (apart from the Hebrew Bible of course). The Rambam himself refers to these thirteen principles as "the fundamental truths of our religion and its very foundations" (Pirush on Mishnayos-Sanhedrin Chap.10). We quote here the final of these two foundational principles: Principle #12 " The days of Mashiach –(it is obligatory) to believe and trust that they will come…one who has doubts (about whether or not he will come) or degrades his glory- denies the Torah that explicitly promises (his coming and his greatness) in Parshas Billam (Bamidbar: 23-24) and "Netzavim" (NOTE: ibid. 30:3-5)" Principle #13 "(The obligation to believe) in the Resurrection of the Dead" We see here that in establishing the very foundations of the Jewish religion, the Rambam [...]
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My Italian Jewish surname (last name)… could it be Jewish? Researching Italian Surnames for Possible Jewish Roots Have you wondered if you have Jewish ancestors? Does your family history include stories of Jewish heritage or Jewish traditions? Some experts state that as much as 50% of the populations of Calabria and Sicily (the most Southern ...
The Hebrew word "tzedakah" is commonly translated as "charity" or "tithe." But this is misleading. "Charity" implies that your heart motivates you to go beyond the call of duty. "Tzedakah," however, literally means "righteousness" — doing the right thing. A "tzaddik," likew ...
ארמלגוס – Armi-what? 2. Who, what, where and when is Armilus / Armilgus? 3. Does anyone know? The Armilus is virtually unknown to the vast majority of people, even those who are Jewish and consider themselves religious! A handful of Bible scholars have looked up the word in var ...
Jewish prayer is an aid to developing a meritorious attitude and a commendable way of feeling. Therefore, Jews actively seek reasons to praise God’s creation. There are Jewish prayers to be said when witnessing a falling star, when hearing the clap of thunder in the clouds, when seeing a rainbow, when noticing the first bud of spring on the b ...
Yom Kippur,יום כיפור means "Day of expiation". It occurs on the tenth day of the month of Tishrei and puts an end to the "Ten Days of Awe" which are the days of repentance that start on the first day of the month of Tishrei, for Rosh Hashana. Each one is called on this special day ...
Kedusha (holiness) is the theme opening again for this portion. Twice Moshe speaks, about this lifestyle required of them. A lifestyle with more required and more restrictions than the rest of the Israelites. The priests and high priests were more than just religious figures performing roles. They stood in for the people, made korbanot (sacrifices, ...
…In the seventh month, on the first of the month, there shall be a sabbath for you, a remembrance with shofar blasts, a holy convocation. -Leviticus 16:24 (Note: when any Bible holiday falls any day, that day becomes Shabbat / Sabbath, even if it is Tuesday). Rosh Hashanah occurs on the first and second days of Tishri. In Hebrew, Rosh Hashana ...
Speak to the children of Israel, saying: “In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a Shabbat-rest, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation” (Vayikra / Leviticus 23:24). The shofar is/was blown on the first of Tishri, the seventh month of the Jewish religious calendar. It is Yom Teruah, “the ...
This is a double parsha, made up of parshas Behar and Bechukotai. The seven aliyot of this week’s reading are indicated by special aliyah markings within those two parshas in the Chumash. Parshiyot Behar and Bechukotai are power-packed doubleheaders, this one emphasizing the connection between the Jew and Eretz Yisrael. The lunisolar Hebrew c ...
Va’etchanan, Deuteronomy 3:23 – 7:11 is this week’s Torah portion. It is the tale of Moshe pleading with the Most High to enter the Promised Land, and the response of the Holy One answering Moshe will see the Promised Land. He retells the people’s history, stressing this is a first for people to have a relationship with the ...
If a man makes a vow to HaShem or takes an oath imposing an obligation on himself, he shall not break his pledge; he must carry out all that has crossed his lips. [Numbers 30:3] This week we have a double portion Matot (Tribes) and Masei (Journeys). I will focus this week on Matot. The first Aliyah has Moses instructing Israel concerning vows. It i ...
הבשורה טובה הגאולה What language was the Besora Tova HaGeula (Good News of Redemption) written in? Most people will tell you it was written in Greek. They go on to tell you that it was the "language of the day". They say everything during that ...
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