Shabbat Ki Tisah: Idolatry

The focal point this week is the Golden Calf, and the betrayal of  God at the very moment God is trying to impose standards on the Israelites through a constitution from Sinai. Read more

Shabbat Tetzaveh: Who needs Priests?

The Torah goes into intricate detail in the Books of Exodus and Leviticus about the priests, their role in the Tabernacle ceremonials, their benefits and tithes, and their special rules of behaviour. This week, the Torah talks about the Priests’ clothes and oracles. Read more

Shabbat Mishpatim: What happpened at Sinai?

One of the challenges to traditional Judaism comes from academic analysis of the Torah as if it were either a Book of History or literature that one can decipher from a rational, point of view. Read more

Time

We have just celebrated another New Year. I was not specifically thinking of 2022, although that too. Or of Tu BiShvat, the Fifteenth Day of the Month of Shevat. The New Year for Trees. One of four different New Years as recorded in the Talmud ( Rosh Hashana ). Read more

Shabbat Vayehi: Predictions

The twelve tribes have now come to live in Egypt under Josef’s protection. Read more

Why do I have to wash my already clean hands before eating bread?

Asks the rabbi. Read more

Shabbat Vayigash: Failed priests

When Pharaoh accepted Yosef’s interpretation of his dreams and his advice to Pharaoh on how to prepare for it, he was given the opportunity to prepare for the approaching catastrophe. Read more

Why is the Shema so important?

Ask the rabbi… Read more

Does Judaism agree with female sterilisation?

Ask the rabbi… Read more

Decision to allow silent prayer on Temple Mount overturned

The Jerusalem District Court accepted on Friday the State’s appeal on the decision by the Magistrate’s Court to allow “silent prayers” for Jews on the Temple Mount. Read more

Minister of Religious Affairs meets with women Torah scholars including women rabbis

Israel’s Minister of Religious Affairs, Matan Kahana and MK Nir Orbach met over the weekend with the directors and heads of halachic (Jewish law) programs for women. Read more

Dreams, hopes & fears

Rabbi Raymond writes about Rosh HaShanah. Read more

Shabbat Ki Tavo

Why do we do things in life? Is it to get some kind of reward? Read more

Weekly Torah. Shabbat Shoftim Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9

Who is Responsible? Read more

The budget of Israel Ministry of Religious Affairs increased by 100 million shekels

An additional 100 million Shekels (A$42 million) have been allocated to the budget for Israel’s Ministry of Religious Affairs. Read more

Why to Jewish men cover their heads?

Ak the rabbi! Read more

A chosen people

I dislike the expression “The Chosen People”.  Read more

Why some Jews leave a bare section on a wall on purpose?

Ask the rabbi…. Read more

Torah for Shabbat: Shabbat Nachamu, The Shabbat of Comfort after the Ninth of Av.

As Moses continues his speech to the children of Israel, he repeats two core texts that underpin the whole of the Jewish way of life. Read more

Is God dead?

Ask the rabbi. Read more

Rabbi Jeremy Rosen: Shabbat Balak

It seems strange that the whole Parsha we read this week should be named after a Midianite/Moabite King, Balak, and be devoted to a non-Jewish magician Bilam.
Read more

Thought for the week

On Sunday is the fast of the Seventeenth of Tammuz. It is a minor fast that lasts from dawn to dusk and ushers in a period of mourning that leads up to the 9^th of Av when we commemorate the loss of two Temples. Read more

Religious politics

The personal attacks on Naftali Bennet coming from the Charedi parties in Israel because he has been instrumental in excluding them from power and has stood up to their blackmail are disgusting. Read more

Is it permitted for women to wear tallit and tefillin?

Ask the rabbi. Read more

Do you know before whom you stand?

Ask the rabbi? Read more

Where does “upon my heart” originate

Ask the rabbi. Read more

How did the Ten Lost Tribes come to be lost?

Ask the rabbi… Read more

Why isn’t life fair?

Ask the rabbi… Read more

How our Succas taught an amazing COVID lesson

On Rosh HaShanah, we re-affirmed our belief in an omnipotent G-D.  On Yom Kippur we cried out to Him to renew our relationship.   Read more

When rabbis should not keep quiet

The former chief rabbi of the United Kingdom, Jonathan Sacks, has come in for some stick over remarks he recently made about religion and politics. Read more

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