SHABBAT SHALOM (link to original page) Click here to receive the weekly parsha by email each week. Yom Kippur "And for the sin we committed against thee of tale bearing" (From the prayer of confession on the Day of Atonement)   "Thou shall not go about as a talebearer" "Do not stand idly over the blood of your neighbor. I am the Lord". (Leviticus 19:17)   "Thou shall not go about as a talebearer" It is my opinion that it is because all inciters of quarrel and those that relate evil talk "go" into the house of their friends...

Shabbat Shalom The weekly parsha commentary Click here to receive the weekly parsha by email each week. Yom Kippur (link to original page) To remind ourselves to make a better world Esti Melamed The shabbat proceeding Yom Kippur ( even though this year it was the shabbat immediately following Rosh Hashana) is one in which a significant step is taken in preparing for the sacred day. On this day we read the haftara from the Book of Hosea that begins "Return Israel to the Lord your God," a verse that gives the shabbat its name. Hosea's message to the...

Shabbat Shalom The weekly parsha commentary (link to original page) Click here to receive the weekly parsha by email each week. Yom Kippur Like the anchor in the sailor's hand; If it pleases him, he holds it, If it pleases him, he casts it away. So too are we in Your hand, Good and forgiving God. Look to the covenant and take no notice of the evil inclination. (From the service for Yom Kippur eve)   As this potter can I not do to you, O house of Israel? says the Lord. Behold, as clay in...

Shabbat Shalom The weekly parsha commentary (link to original page) Click here to receive the weekly parsha by email each week. Parshat Ha'azinu And he said to them, "Pick me up and cast me into the sea, so that the sea may subside from upon you, for I know that, because of me, this mighty tempest is upon you." (Jonah 1:12)   R. Natan said: Jonah simply wanted to lose himself in the sea, for it is said, Pick me up and cast me into the sea. You will find similar among the patriarchs and the prophets –...

Shabbat Shalom The weekly parsha commentary – parshat (link to original page) Click here to receive the weekly parsha by email each week. Yom Kippur COME NOW, LET US DEBATE, SAYS THE LORD. IF YOUR SINS PROVE TO BE LIKE CRIMSON, THEY WILL BECOME WHITE AS SNOW; IF THEY PROVE TO BE AS RED AS CRIMSON DYE, THEY SHALL BECOME AS WOOL. (Isaiah 1:18)   It is taught that Rabbi Eliezer said: If your sins prove to be like crimson, etc., – ...

Shabbat Shalom The weekly parsha commentary – parshat (link to original page) Click here to receive the weekly parsha by email each week. Yom Kippur AND WRITE AND SIGN, AND COUNT, AND NUMBER, AND REMEMBER ALL THE FORGOTTEN THINGS AND OPEN THE BOOK OF MEMORIES. (From the prayer, Unetanah Tokef)   Rabbi said: Which is the right course that a man should choose for himself? That which is an honor to him who does it, and which also brings him honor from mankind. Be heedful of a light precept as of a grave one, for you do not know...