Jerusalem Insights

Kohelet ( ecclesiastes) and Joy

by

Introspection on the High Holydays reveals the fissures and the cracks; joy on Sukkot enables the healing and the growth. (excerpted from Moshe Kempinski’s upcoming book “ Accessing Inner Joy, the biblical Festivals) We have entered into and experienced the month of Tishrei as a period of great soul searching and introspection. We have hopefully … Read more

the Covering

by

In the Torah portion of “Acharei Mot “ ( Leviticus 16:1-18-30) we read the following regarding Yom Kippur: “For on this day it shall atone ( Yechaper) for you to cleanse ( LeTaher) you. Before HaShem, you shall be cleansed from all your sins .It is a shabbat of solemn rest unto you, and you … Read more

THE SONG

by

We read in parshat Vayelech the following Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach thou it the children of Israel; put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for Me against the children of Israel. (Deut 31: 18-19) G-d’s word, the Bible, has been described in many ways. … Read more

Joy Amidst the Rebuke

by

The beginning of the Torah Portion of Ki Tavo begins with the Hebrew word VeHaya: And it will be,( Ve Haya) when you come into the land which the Lord, your God, gives you for an inheritance, and you possess it and settle in it,( Deuteronomy 26:1) . We are told by the Midrash Rabba … Read more

The Real Danger of “ September”

by

The people of Israel have entered into the month of Elul and are preparing themselves for the introspection and soul searching of the Tishrei festivals. Yet around this land, dark clouds seem to be gathering. There is talk of massive uprisings and rioting by the Palestinians. Syria is dissolving into its different constituents and may … Read more

Justice and Trees

by

Moshe Kempinski The beginning verses of the Torah portion of Shoftim become the clarion call for true justice amidst the people of Israel.” You shall not pervert justice; you shall not show favoritism, and you shall not take a bribe, for bribery blinds the eyes of the wise and perverts just words. “ Deuteronomy 16:19) … Read more

Using One’s Eyes

by

The portion of Re’eh begins with the words “Re’eh – See, I give you today a blessing and a curse (Deuteronomy 11:26). Of the five senses — sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch — one would think that “sight” would be considered the lowest of all of them. All the others provide some measure of … Read more

An Attitude of Joy

by

Our sages point to a similarity between two words in the Hebrew language that project very different messages and meaning. The word VaYehi Biyimei means ” And it was in the days of..”The other word, VeHaya means ” And it will be. ” It is the construction of these words that is most interesting.

Read more