In Judaism, Astrology is not regarded as “idol worship,” even though the generic name for “idol worship” is “Avodat Kochavim U’Mazalot,” Worship of the Stars and the Signs of the Zodiac.” From the Jewish perspective, the stars are not unrelated to events on earth. It is not irrelevant whether one was born on Pesach, or […]

The 7th of Adar was the day on which Moshe Rabeinu (the Biblical Moses) was born, and also the day on which he died exactly 120 years later. His burial place is unknown. Linking Jewish present to past, modern day Israel has instituted a public memorial ceremony on this day for Israel Defense Forces soldiers […]

When Adar Comes – Joyfullness Reigns!! MiShenichnas Adar Marbim BeSimcha!! When Adar Comes, Joy Is Increased!! Adar Is Here Be Happy!! The month of Adar is the last month of the year counting from Nisan and is referred to in Tanach (abbreviation for Torah, Prophets and Writings) this way. Even in the event of a leap […]

The month of Shevat is the eleventh month counting from Nisan. As it states in the Book of Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah), ‘On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, the month of Shevat…’ (Yirmeyahu 1). In the general calendar year of Jewish tradition, which begins with Tishrei, it is the fifth month. “ROSH CHODESH” OF SHEVAT […]

In the Exodus The Midrash teaches that Jewish women played a major role in the Exodus, by keeping alive the spirits of their husbands, preventing them from becoming depressed under the burden of slavery, and giving up in despair. They accomplished this by paying special attention to their appearance, and charming and enticing their husbands, […]

Sign: Akrav (Scorpion) – because the earth is thirsty for water Other Names: Mar Cheshvan, Bul, Hachodesh HaShmini Significance: Cheshvan, the month following Tishrei on the modern Jewish calendar is referred to in the Tanach as Yerach Bul (Kings I, Chapter 6:38). Bul refers to the idea that during this month the grass withers (baleh) […]

At the beginning of the period of the Second Beit Hamikdash, the Second Temple, the people of Israel lived under Persian dominion. After the fall of the Persian Empire, Greece inherited her place, and Israel was subjugated to Greece. Ptolemy, one of the Greek Kings who succeeded Alexander (The ‘Great’) of Macedonia, wanted the Jewish […]

This task which Ptolemy imposed on the 72 Elders was beyond human capacity. The Torah was written so that its content might be open to a great variety of possible interpretations. The Torah was given in the Hebrew together with a prescribed method for interpreting its words, verses and letters; thereby eliciting the wide range […]

On the eleventh of Cheshvan, while giving birth to her 2nd son, Binyamin, Rachel, the beloved wife of Ya’akov, died, and was buried on the road to Bethlehem. The site of her burial in Bethlehem, south of Jerusalem, known to us by tradition, is covered by a stone edifice. Rachel’s Tomb in Bethlehem, Israel For […]

One might expect Rosh Chodesh to be observed when the moon is full. Why is it celebrated when the moon is essentially invisible in the dark, night sky?