Recent Publications
November 24, 2024
**Noah (נח) / Noah**
**Noah (נח) / Noah** (Genesis 6:9 – 11:32) This week's Torah portion is called "נח" (Noah) – the Hebrew name for the well-known biblical figure Noah. The remarkable story of the Flood is familiar to…
November 11, 2024
Bereshit (בראשית) / In the Beginning
**Bereshit (בראשית) / In the Beginning** (Genesis 1:1-6:8) The first weekly Torah portion is called בראשית (Bereshit), which means "in the beginning." These are the opening words of the Torah:…
Simchat Torah
Oct 23, 2024
Simchat Torah means "rejoicing of the Torah." Most likely of medieval origins, this holiday is observed by Jewish people on the last day of Sukkot. The overall theme of Simchat Torah is the foundational role of the Torah in Jewish religious life,…
SUKKOT
Oct 17, 2024
Each year on the 15th Day of Tishri, the weeklong Sukkot celebrations begin. These celebrations -- also known as the Feast of Booths, Harvest Festival, or Feast of Tabernacles -- begin five days after Yom Kippur, transitioning from one of the most…
Yom Kippur
Oct 10, 2024
Yom Kippur -- also known as Yom Ha-Kippurim, Shabbat Shabbaton, Sabbath of Solemn Rest, Sabbath of Sabbaths, or the Day of Atonement -- is the holiest day on the Jewish calendar. It occurs on Tishri 10, which is the tenth day of the seventh month on…
Fast of Gedaliah
Sep 30, 2024
A little-known fast traditionally occurs on the 3rd of Tishrei, the day after Rosh Hashanah (unless that day happens to fall on a Shabbat, in which case it is delayed until Sunday): Tzom Gedaliah, or the Fast of Gedaliah. Zechariah 8:19 describes…
Rosh Hashanah
Sep 25, 2024
Rosh Hashanah, translated as "head of the year" or "first of the year," is commonly known as the Jewish New Year. It occurs on the first and second days of Tishri, commencing Yamim Nora’im (the High Holidays). This is a day dedicated to prayer, to…
Shofars
Sep 18, 2024
"In this month (the seventh month of Tishrei), you shall amend your deeds. The Holy One, blessed be He, said to Israel: 'If you will amend your deeds, I shall become unto you like a horn (shofar). As the horn takes in the breath at one end and sends…
Teshuvah
Sep 10, 2024
Teshuvah ("returning") is the Jewish concept of repentance and returning to the path of righteousness after one has deviated, or returning to an original state of status quo prior to a transgression occurring. This concept applies whether one has…
Selichot
Sep 05, 2024
“O Lord, hear our voice in the morning; in the morning, we set them before You with hopeful expectation. Hear our voice." Originating as prayers for public fast days (e.g., the six days before Rosh Hashanah), Selichot (“apologies” or “forgiveness”)…
More Publications
Teshuvah
Teshuvah ("returning") is the Jewish concept of repentance and returning to the path of righteousness after one has deviated, or returning to an…
Selichot
“O Lord, hear our voice in the morning; in the morning, we set them before You with hopeful expectation. Hear our voice." Originating as prayers for…
Hebrew Elul
“See, this day I set before you blessing and curse: blessing if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I enjoin upon you this day; and…
The Lord's Prayer. Lecture 10
I often ask people, "How much of the Lord's Prayer is about our daily needs?" Surprisingly, many of the people I ask say, "It's a big part," or even…
Heavenly Sanctuary in Rabbinic Literature
Introduction The nature of the sanctuary represents a major fundamental issue that separates Seventh-day Adventist theology from the mainstream of…
Work for the Eternal Bread!
How big is my salary? How much do I earn? What is the most expensive thing I can buy with my debit card? What's the best way to spend my money? All…
Shavuot
Celebrated on the 50th day, or seven weeks after Passover, Shavuot is a one-day event in Israel and a two-day holiday in the Diaspora. The holiday…
Noble Moses
Often, a person asks God for one thing but does not receive exactly what is desired. However, after people analyze God’s answers to their prayers,…
Yom Ha’atzmaut
Yom Ha’atzmaut in Hebrew, or Israel’s Independence Day in English, is a festive day of jubilation commemorating Israeli independence from British…
Yom HaShoah
Yom HaShoah Ve-Hagevurah, often shortened to Yom HaShoah, is a day of remembrance observed globally by the Jewish people. In English, it is known as…
Gefilte Fish
Gefilte fish, which means “filled”or "stuffed” fish, is essentially any combination of seasoned carp, pike, whitefish, mullet, or perch-based…
Why Do Jews Cover Their Heads?
Why do Jews cover their heads when they pray or read the Torah? What does Paul mean when he says, “Every man who prays or prophesies with his head…
Enjoy the Archives
Dr. Roberto D. Badenas
Is the antique Torah of Moses still valid for the modern Christian? Professor Roberto Badenas, a specialist in the law of Paul, challenges…
Cantor Michael Weisser: Prayer
Cantor Michael Weisser has served Congregation B’nai Jeshrun, a Reform Jewish congregation in Lincoln, Nebraska since 1988. He previously served…
Rabbi Elliot B. Gertel: Family
Rabbi Elliot B. Gertel has been spiritual leader of Congregation Rodfei Zedek in Chicago since 1988, after having been Rabbi of Congregation Beth…
Don and Sue Murray: Sexuality
In addition to their professional responsibilities as Dean of Men and Assistant Professor of Family Studies, respectively, at Andrews University, Don…
Kay Kuzma
Kay Kuzma, Ed.D., is the founder and speaker of Family Matters and a host of radio and television programs. She has written hundreds of articles and…
Creation Old and New
Children are natural cosmogonists, and one of them has never asked, “How did the world begin?” That question is addressed at the very beginning of…
Interview With Fernando Canale
Shabbat Shalom*: Dr. Canale, you just mentioned your philosophical background; as a philosopher, who is God for you?
Interview With Jay Henry Moses
Rabbi Jay Henry Moses got his start in Jewish leadership through NFTY, Reform Judaism’s youth movement. He graduated from the University of Michigan…
Dr. Jacob Milgrom: Torah
What was the Torah for Judaism yesterday and today? Professor Jacob Milgrom, a rabbi and specialist in the book of Leviticus, discusses the meaning…
Paul Petersen
Paul Birch Petersen was born in Denmark in 1952 and has, since his youth, worked as a minister in Denmark. A diligent writer, he has written several…
Rabbi Jonathan Tabachnikoff: Eating and Drinking
Rabbi Jonathan Tabachnikoff is a Reform Rabbi at the Temple Sinai of Glendale, California. He grew up in Miami, FL, as the son of a Reform Rabbi. He…
Interview With Dr. Henri Baruk
Professor Henri Baruk, a renowned Jewish psychiatrist, discusses the evolution of psychiatry, justice, and the nature of the human person. A French…
The Currency of Righteousness. Lecture 11
In this lecture, we will focus on Yeshua's message about the dangers of being consumed by material wealth. Yeshua imparts a powerful lesson, emphasizing that true…
Servants of the Covenant. Lecture 3
Yeshua employed a renowned symbol, salt, to make a comparison with His disciples. What spiritual insights can be gleaned from this analogy?
The Lord's Prayer. Lecture 10
I often ask people, "How much of the Lord's Prayer is about our daily needs?" Surprisingly, many of the people I ask say, "It's a big part," or even "It's the most…
Divorce. Lecture 7
Very often, people say that Moses allowed divorce. Did he really allow that? What are the apodictic and casuistic types of law material? How does it influence our…
Commandments of the Teacher and My Life
We studied the commandments of the Teacher and found that they were part of the New Covenant. We talked about the relevance of the Torah, correct motivation, the Lord’s…
You Shall Not Murder. Lecture 5
Within this lecture, our focal point will be directed towards specific elements encompassing murder, the altar, one's brother, and offerings, all of which are found in…
In the Way You Judge. Lecture 13
Dive into the timeless teachings of Matthew 7:1-5 and explore the profound concept of non-judgment, learning to refrain from passing judgments on others. Discover the…
The Wide and Narrow. Lecture 15
The Teacher urges everyone to seek the narrow gate, representing a life of righteousness and spiritual growth that, though challenging to follow, ultimately leads to…
Everyone Who Looks. Lecture 6
The book of Sirach 9:8 reads, "Turn away your eyes from a shapely woman, and do not gaze at beauty belonging to another" (NRSV). Yeshua is even more radical; in Matthew…
Beseech the Lord of the Harvest!
In the Gospel, there are the words of Yeshua, "Beseech the Lord of the Harvest!" Discover the deeper meaning behind this timeless teaching and explore its significance…
Unlocking the Doors of Blessings. Lecture 14
Yeshua says, "Ask, and it shall be given to you. Seek, and you shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened to you" (Matt. 7:7 TLV). Let us study this text together!
Vows and Non-Resistance. Lecture 8
Yeshua prohibited vows. What does it mean? How do I practice that? What if the government wants me to do that? Why did Yeshua command us to be non-resistant?
Building on The Rock. Lecture 16
As the Teacher vividly describes the storms of life—rain, floods, and winds—His message resonates with everyone facing challenges and trials. By encouraging a life of…
Yeshua and Moshe. Lecture 1
By watching this lecture, you can gain insights into the practical significance of the parallels between the Sermon on the Mount and the Mosaic Covenant.
Secret Righteousness. Lecture 9
The desire for societal acceptance is a prevalent motive among individuals, stemming from various factors. It is expected that the righteousness exhibited by disciples…
Blessings of the Covenant. Lecture 2
Within the Mosaic Covenant, a multitude of blessings and curses are found as a continuation of its main provisions. In a similar fashion, the Sermon on the Mount, which…
Pagan Anxiety. Lecture 12
In Matthew 6:25, Yeshua says, “Do not worry about your life." Discover how trusting God enables us to overcome anxiety as we learn to prioritize life's true meaning…
Not to Abolish but to Fulfill. Lecture 4
In contemporary Christian belief, there is a widespread notion that the Law of Moses has been nullified or invalidated. However, Yeshua's assertion in Matthew 5:17…
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Upcoming Holidays in 2024
Shavuot
Evening of Tue, Jun 11
Evening of Thu, Jun 13
Rosh Hashanah
Evening of Wed, Oct 2
Evening of Fri, Oct 4
Yom Kippur
Evening of Fri, Oct 11
Evening of Sat, Oct 12
Editor's Choice
Life with God, Where Does It Go?
Who can speak rightly about life with God? There are so many ways of living with God and so many religions. It is troubling that all these religions refer to the same God, the God of life, the…
Sexuality and Shleimut: Completeness of Life
The Jewish traditional view of sexuality recognizes and often celebrates it as a necessary and crucial part of human life and development. For Judaism, sex is “not shameful, sinful, or obscene,” nor…
Archaeology and the Family in Ancient Israel
Modern Ideas of Family Ever since the so-called “Reagan revolution,” Americans have heard a considerable amount of discussion on the importance of the family in our society. This phenomenon has been…
