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Featured Topic
Faith
Faith is a value central to Judaism. The biblical Abraham is noted throughout Jewish texts as a paradigm of fatih. Medieval scholars like Maimonides crafted principles of faith, and sources throughout the Jewish tradition tell stories of faith and discuss the role and nature of faith in Judaism.
Mishloach Manot
The Hebrew term "mishloach manot" literally means "a delivery of portions," and sending them is one of the four mitzvot (commandments) of the holiday of Purim. One sends portions of choice foods to their friends on Purim, often in the form of gift baskets or bags of goodies, to contribute to the Purim seudah, or feast, another of the four mitzvot of the day.
Seven Species
The seven species are seven special products of the land of Israel, listed in Deuteronomy 8:8. They are: wheat, barley, grape, fig, pomegranates, olive (oil), and date (date honey). The fruits have significance in different areas of Jewish law; for example, a unique blessing is recited after eating them.
Snakes
The snake appears from the opening narratives of the Torah, as a snake entices Eve to eat from the tree of knowledge. Various other biblical verses mention snakes as part of stories, prophecies, and metaphors. Rabbinic texts discuss the dangerous nature of the snake and different laws surrounding snakes, like the permissibility of killing them on Shabbat.
This Week’s Torah Portion
Matot-Masei
Matot-Masei (“Tribes”-”Travels”), a double Torah portion and the final one in the Book of Numbers, describes the laws of vows, a war against the Midianites, and the request of some tribes to dwell outside the Land of Israel. It also reviews the Israelites’ travels in the desert and outlines Israel’s boundaries.
On the Jewish Calendar
Tisha B'Av
Tisha B’Av, the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av, is a fast day and the saddest day on the Jewish calendar. Among other historical tragedies, it commemorates the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem in 586 BCE and 70 CE, respectively. One fasting abstains from food and other physical pleasures, reads the biblical book of Lamentations, and observes mourning customs.
August 2