Articles with the tag: pesach sheni
No Shortcuts to Heaven
The Chasidic master Rabbi Mendel of Kotzk once asked his disciples, “Where is G-d?” Puzzled, they replied, “Is it not written that G-d fills the heavens and the earth? Hence, G-d must be everywhere.”
“No,” replied the Rebbe, “G-d is where we let Him in.” While scientists have sought G-d in the design of the universe, historians in the survival of the Jewish people, and spiritualists in mystical experiences, there is a surer way. Just let Him in.
Though He could, G-d does not impose Himself on our consciousness. True, He walks in our garden, but for the most part He allows the children of Adam the deception that they can hide. His existence, at least the proof of it,...
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One Day at a Time
How did a group of oppressed and degraded slaves transform themselves and achieve such a level of sublime spirituality at Sinai? They addressed one defect at a time.
The Duality of Time
The human genome has taught us that the microcosm is a map of the macrocosm. From a single cell, one can reconstruct an entire organism. Does this apply to religion? Can one tiny Jewish law, a single cell as it were, reveal the totality of Judaism?
The phrase, “ “Count seven full weeks…Count fifty days. “” commands us to count each night between Pesach and Shavuos. What is the law for someone who forgot one day? May he continue to count the rest, or has he forfeited the mitzvah? The Halachos Gedolos (8th century) ruled that the person should stop counting. Hai Gaon (10th century) disagreed. What are their reasons?
According to the Halachos Gedolos, the key phrase is, “...
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Second Chance
The Talmud, basing itself on the very first verse in this week’s Torah portion of Emor, tells us about responsibilities. According to our Sages the “great” (adults) have the obligation to instruct the “small” (children) in the observance of mitzvot.
In Chassidic philosophy these terms are not limited to interpersonal relationships. Just as there are “the great” and “the small” in the world at large, within the microcosm of man these concepts also exist. The great, meaning the mind and intelligence, are there to guide and teach the small - the limbs, the practical implementation. Does one learn only in order to know, or also to do? Assuredly, the greatness of Torah study is that it brings about Torah action….
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