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Hallelujah is a remarkable word. In the Bible, it appears only in the
book of Psalms; yet this exuberant exclamation of joy and gratitude has
survived the passage of centuries, transcending the barriers of language
and culture. What exactly does it mean?
[Read on]
2.
Psalm 145: The Two Benefits of Ashrei
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The Talmud says one who recites this psalm three times a day is assured of a place in the
World to Come. What makes Ashrei so wonderful?
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3.
Breishith: Tasty Fruit Trees
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The Kabbalists used the term shevirat hakeilim - "breaking of the vessels" - to describe the many difficulties that occurred in the process of creating the world. With this phrase, they wished to convey the idea that the limited physical realm was incapable of accepting all of the spiritual content that it needed to contain. Like a balloon pumped with too much air, it simply burst.
[Read on]
4.
Shir HaShirim: The Song of Songs
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The soul's powerful emotions with regard to love are certainly a significant part of the human
condition.
Yet it is unfortunate that modern literature concerns itself exclusively with only one form of love - the romantic love between man and woman.
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5.
Kedoshim: Love Your Neighbor
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"You must love your neighbor as you love yourself." [Lev 19:18]
Is this mitzvah of Ahavat Yisrael realistic? Is it possible to truly love another person as much as we love ourselves?
[Read on]