Jewish,Synagogue,Torah,Judaism,Kosher Blog

Was Abraham Jewish?

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:59:36 +0000

Question: Was Abraham a Jew? Answer: Hi! “Was Abraham a Jew” is an interesting question, and one that may be impossible to answer. It comes down to definitions. He wasn’t a party to the covenant made at Mount Sinai, and thus he wasn’t given the full set of 613 commandments ( Mitzvos ) that define Israel’s obligations. On the other hand, that covenant at Mount Sinai, and all those Mitzvos – they were themselves an outgrowth of the covenant G-d made with Abraham. He was the founder of Israel, and everything that G-d did with them came from his relationship with Abraham. And since G-d’s goal in this world is to bring it and Israel to full completion – I think you could fairly say that everything that G-d does in the world, period, he does in order to fulfill the promise he made to Abraham. Our sages say that Abraham kept the entire Torah before it was given. Whatever that means, it says something very significant about him. There is actually a fair amount written on exactly which obligations did apply to Abraham and his descendents before the Torah was given. Not marrying people from Cana’an, circumcision, not eating from the sciatic nerve, the seven Noachide commandments as they differ from Torah obligations for Jews … One famous source is called the “P’rashas D’rachim”, if you’re interested in further research. As I said, you’re asking a hard question. Best wishes, Michoel Reach

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Was Abraham Jewish?

Why only 24 books in the Bible?

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:33:50 +0000

Question: Why was it determined by the Rabbis that the 24 books of the Bible only include those books and not more?Why weren’t other holy books, written later in time, included in the Bible ? Answer: The Bible (Tanach) isn’t a collection of holy books. It is the collection of prophecies that were given to Israel for all generations. There were other, more local prophecies (such as when Saul went to ask the prophet where his father’s donkeys were). But the ones that were for the whole nation became the Tanach. When the period of the Second Temple began, the world was on a very different spiritual level and prophecy had ended. There were many holy books written afterwards (the Mishnah, the Talmud, the Shulchan Aruch…), but they are in a different category. Best wishes, Michoel Reach

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Why only 24 books in the Bible?

Science and Torah Cannot Conflict

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:29:42 +0000

Question: Judaism believes that the Jewish calendar begins at the time Adam is created on the 6th day (because time is for people). Currently this time is 5770 years, the Jewish year. How does Judaism reconcile civilizations around the world that archaeologists scientifically determine to be thousands of years older than 5770 years old ? If man has only been on Earth for 5770 years how could there be groups of people older than Adam, the first person ? Answer: Well, I’m not sure I’m going to be of much help. I always remember what my Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Yaakov Weinberg z”l, said: Whenever there is an apparent conflict between Torah and science, we will have to work out whether the science needs to be fixed, or our understanding of Torah needs to be fixed, or both. I’m not an expert in the science, and presumably scientists will refine their views in the future too. As for the Torah, there are a number of ways to understand it. Just as an example, the Ibn Ezra said close to a thousand years ago that a “day” in the creation may well refer to a stage of the process, however long it took. I don’t know that that is the normative view today, but all these type of things will be clarified eventually. (I don’t know if that would affect how the calendar is set up.) Best wishes, Michoel Reach

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Science and Torah Cannot Conflict

Handicaps and Our Mission

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:05:51 +0000

Question: How does God view me as a deaf person? Answer: God places every person in the world with a task to be accomplished. In Hebrew this accomplishment is called a Tikkun . It is a task which only the soul possessed by that individual can accomplish. Your accomplishment of that task brings your soul to completion and gives great satisfaction to God. Your task is one that you could not possibly accomplish if you had the ability to hear normally; as such, God made you deaf. I realize that may not be easy to accept, but that too is one of the challenges God gives us; the need to learn to accept what we cannot easily comprehend. By seeking out God’s wishes for you, I have no doubt you are already accomplishing part of your Tikkun and raising the spiritual level of your soul. Best Regards, Rabbi Azriel Schreiber

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Handicaps and Our Mission

Regional Spelling Bee Win Earns Kudos for Sole Jewish School

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:00:00 +0000

After a nail-biting finish in Myrtle Beach, S.C.’s regional spelling bee, Chabad Academy fifth-grader David Habibi will head to Washington, D.C., for this summer’s Scripps National Spelling Bee.

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Regional Spelling Bee Win Earns Kudos for Sole Jewish School

South Broward Jewish Center Celebrating Three Decades of Growth

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:00:00 +0000

Coming on the heels of celebrations surrounding the 50th anniversary of Chabad-Lubavitch activities in the Sunshine State, Jewish community members in South Florida are gearing up to toast almost three decades of Torah classes, holiday programs and youth clubs in the southern portion of Broward County.

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South Broward Jewish Center Celebrating Three Decades of Growth

Decennial Friendship Circle Dinner Lauds Teenage Volunteers

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:00:00 +0000

An estimated 900 people, including politicians, prominent business leaders and one professional football player, descended on the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in downtown Newark to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the state’s branch of the Friendship Circle.

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Decennial Friendship Circle Dinner Lauds Teenage Volunteers

Texas Program Provides Jewish Outlet to Institutionalized Residents

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:00:00 +0000

While they’re a distinct minority in state-supported residential facilities, Jewish adults with special needs – whose spiritual needs were, just a generation ago, frequently neglected by government agencies – can take part in a variety of programs offered by a decade-long partnership between caregivers and a Houston non-profit.

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Texas Program Provides Jewish Outlet to Institutionalized Residents

Texas Program Provides Jewish Outlet to Institutionalized Residents

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:00:00 +0000

Texas Program Provides Jewish Outlet to Institutionalized Residents

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:00:00 +0000

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Texas Program Provides Jewish Outlet to Institutionalized Residents