About Rabbi Jack Abramowitz
Rabbi Jack Abramowitz served as Director of Programs for NCSY before becoming Associate Director of the Pepa and Rabbi Joseph Karasick Department of Synagogue Services. Rabbi Abramowitz holds degrees in Jewish studies, communications and Higher Education Administration. Among his accomplishments, he authored NCSY's Torah on One Foot series of educational pamphlets and created negiah.org, the first abstinence web site for Jewish teens. Rabbi Abramowitz is the author of The Shnayim Mikra Companion on Torah, The Nach Yomi Companion volumes 1 and 2 on the books of the Prophets and the Writings, and The Tzniyus Book.

Recent Posts

Taryag: A Mitzvah a Day

Questions? Contact us at taryag@ou.org

Six of One, Half a Dozen of the Other


We previously discussed the Six Remembrances and the Six Constant Mitzvos...

We previously discussed the Six Remembrances and the Six Constant Mitzvos. It should not surprise us that that these two sets of six items each correspond to one another, as follows:

I. To Remember the Exodus from Egypt = To Know That There is a God
The verse that tells us to believe in Hashem specifically says, "I am Hashem your God who brought you out of Egypt."

II. To Remember the Making of the Golden Calf = Not to Believe in Any Other "Gods"
The Jews in the desert grievously erred in this and we must remember so that we do not follow their example.

III. To Remember Receiving the Torah at Sinai = To Know That God is One
The Torah, which Hashem gave us, is a testament to His Unity.

IV. To Remember Shabbos = To Love God
Shabbos was given to us by Hashem as a sign of His love. In the Shabbos davening (prayers) we say, “You, Hashem, have given us Shabbos in Your love…”

V. To Remember Amalek’s Evil Attack = To Be in Awe of God
How did Amalek have the audacity to attack the Jews so soon after seeing what Hashem did for them in Egypt? The Torah tells us (Deuteronomy 25:18) that “they did not fear God." Lack of reverence for Hashem leads to such reprehensible actions.

VI. To Remember Miriam’s Punishment = Not to Be Led Astray by Our Desires
We are warned not to follow our hearts or eyes in order to go astray. Psalms 34:15 asks, “Who is the person who desires life, who loves years to see good things? Guard your tongue from speaking evil…” The act of slandering others (for which Miriam was punished) leads us away from the path of life and goodness.



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