The Shabbos following the festival of Purim is called Shabbos Parah ('Heifer').
As Purim passes and Pesach draws near, the chapter of the red heifer ritual (the Parah Adumah) is read, commemorating the increased focus on purity at this time of year when the Temple stood, as everyone cleansed themselves to prepare to eat the Pesach-offering.
The red heifer has been called the quintessential chukah, a principle of the invisible spiritual world which is incomprehensible to the human eye which sees only the physical world. The symbolism of the procedure is rich with meaning and subject to a multitude of interpretations, but one concept we can derive from it is that of self-sacrifice and obedience even unto death, and the promise of resurrection afterwards.
The heifer represented the physical aspect of Man: ruddy and full of vitality, but never having served or borne a yoke. The priest who attended the slaughter and burning of the heifer represented the spiritual aspect of Man: his ability to think, to choose, and to override his physical inclinations and drives when necessary. The heifer and the priest were thus two halves of a whole, representing together a Man in totality.
The priest (according to the majority opinion) had to slaughter the heifer himself, and then take up its blood into his own hand. Considering what the heifer represented, it was as if the priest was laying down his own physical life, and then taking up his own blood in his hand. He then had to point with his finger and sprinkle the blood in a direct line of sight toward the Temple entrance, as if the blood were a signpost directing people to the Sanctuary. Then, the body of the heifer was reduced to ash, signifying the return of Man's physical body to dust.
Finally, the dust of the burned heifer was stored up to be used for purifying those who had come into contact with death in some way. The dust of the heifer, which symbolized a deceased human body, was put upon living water in an earthen vessel. As water (especially living / flowing water) represents new life and rebirth, this procedure drew a clear picture of a resurrection of the body. This water-and-ash mixture was then sprinkled on a person to purge them from the taint of death's touch.
This image, of the one who gave up his own life and took up his blood in his own hand to bring it to the Temple of G-d, and whose body was later resurrected, is what purifies those who are defiled by death for generations to come. Is this not a great picture of our Messiah?
The Shabbos following the festival of Purim is called Shabbos Parah ('Heifer').
As Purim passes and Pesach draws near, the chapter of the red heifer ritual (the Parah Adumah) is read, commemorating the increased focus on purity at this time of year when the Temple stood, as everyone cleansed themselves to prepare to eat the Pesach-offering.
The red heifer has been called the quintessential chukah, a principle of the invisible spiritual world which is incomprehensible to the human eye which sees only the physical world. The symbolism of the procedure is rich with meaning and subject to a multitude of interpretations, but one concept we can derive from it is that of self-sacrifice and obedience even unto death, and the promise of resurrection afterwards.
The heifer represented the physical aspect of Man: ruddy and full of vitality, but never having served or borne a yoke. The priest who attended the slaughter and burning of the heifer represented the spiritual aspect of Man: his ability to think, to choose, and to override his physical inclinations and drives when necessary. The heifer and the priest were thus two halves of a whole, representing together a Man in totality.
The priest (according to the majority opinion) had to slaughter the heifer himself, and then take up its blood into his own hand. Considering what the heifer represented, it was as if the priest was laying down his own physical life, and then taking up his own blood in his hand. He then had to point with his finger and sprinkle the blood in a direct line of sight toward the Temple entrance, as if the blood were a signpost directing people to the Sanctuary. Then, the body of the heifer was reduced to ash, signifying the return of Man's physical body to dust.
Finally, the dust of the burned heifer was stored up to be used for purifying those who had come into contact with death in some way. The dust of the heifer, which symbolized a deceased human body, was put upon living water in an earthen vessel. As water (especially living / flowing water) represents new life and rebirth, this procedure drew a clear picture of a resurrection of the body. This water-and-ash mixture was then sprinkled on a person to purge them from the taint of death's touch.
This image, of the one who gave up his own life and took up his blood in his own hand to bring it to the Temple of G-d, and whose body was later resurrected, is what purifies those who are defiled by death for generations to come. Is this not a great picture of our Messiah?
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This little booklet (5-1/2" x 7") presents the Bircas HaMazon (the Blessings after the Meal) in an easy-to-read format, along with the Sheva Berachos (Seven Wedding Blessings), all stunningly illustrated in full color. Every page is film-laminated to make it easy to clean, so you can let your children use it without worries.
Purchase it here.
The pages of church history are marked by countless horrors committed against the Jewish people.
From the first persecutions of the Jews in the fourth century to the horrors of the Holocaust, from Israel-bashing in today's press to anti-Semitism spouted from the pulpit, this painful book tells the tragic story that every Christian must read.
In a freshly updated and expanded edition of this pivotal work, Dr. Michael Brown exposes the faulty theological roots that opened the door to anti-Semitism in Church history, explaining why well-meaning believers so often fall into the trap of hate... and showing how individuals can bring an end to the cycle of violence.
Purchase it here.
• Easy-to-follow English instructions appear on both the English and Hebrew pages.
• Shaded boxes indicate prayer changes for special occasions.
• Transliterated essentials, like Kaddish and Borchu, appear as needed - no page flipping necessary.
• Instructions for sitting, standing, and other customs.
• Headings identify major prayer sections.
• Diagrams for putting on tallis and tefillin, and waving the lulav.
This siddur is one which our community uses on a regular basis.
Purchase it here.
Do we know how the Torah expects us, grownup children, to treat our parents? What about step-parents or in-laws? What are our financial obligations? How do we balance our own needs, and the needs of our family, with those of our parents? What happens when our parents divorce? Or if a parent has a difficult or abusive personality? Do we have to love our parents?
Do we know how the Torah expects us, grownup children, to treat our parents? What about step-parents or in-laws? What are our financial obligations? How do we balance our own needs, and the needs of our family, with those of our parents? What happens when our parents divorce? Or if a parent has a difficult or abusive personality? Do we have to love our parents?
• More than 170 stories of sons and daughters - of all ages - rising to the challenge of kibud av v'eim (honoring father and mother)
• Strategies and common sense advice on dealing with the sensitive issues of "the sunset years"
• Comprehensive and clear halachos of kibud av v'eim
My Father, My Mother and Me is a must-read book for everyone. Because everyone is someone's child.
Rabbi Yisrael Meir ha-Kohen, known to all as the Chofetz Chaim (One Who Desires Life), was famed for his teachings on safeguarding proper speech and promoting awareness of the powers of the tongue.
Stories abound about the Chofetz Chaim’s legendary humility, sensitivity, and genuine love for every individual.
This book, based on his works, lays out the concepts and laws of proper speech in a style arranged for daily study.
Purchase it here.
Rabbi Yisrael Meir ha-Kohen, known to all as the Chofetz Chaim (One Who Desires Life), was famed for his teachings on safeguarding proper speech and promoting awareness of the powers of the tongue.
Stories abound about the Chofetz Chaim’s legendary humility, sensitivity, and genuine love for every individual.
This book, based on his works, lays out the concepts and laws of proper speech in a style arranged for daily study.
Purchase it here.
You can't go wrong with good stories — and you can never get enough of them! That is an old but familiar story to anyone who has ever wanted an enjoyable read or needed something to enliven the Shabbos table or add spice to a conversation or speech.
Here is a collection of stories that have stood the test of time — and the much more difficult feat of keeping the interest of listeners, especially young ones.
Purchase it here.
You can't go wrong with good stories — and you can never get enough of them! That is an old but familiar story to anyone who has ever wanted an enjoyable read or needed something to enliven the Shabbos table or add spice to a conversation or speech.
Here is a collection of stories that have stood the test of time — and the much more difficult feat of keeping the interest of listeners, especially young ones.
Purchase it here.
A wonderful collection of stories from our Sages and the great Torah and Chassidic leaders, arranged according to the Sidra.
The Talmud teaches that, in significant ways, a student benefits more from serving and observing his teachers than from studying under them ... because there are priceless lessons to be learned from the way a great person acts, from the way he absorbs the teachings of the Torah and lets them transform him into an ambassador of G-d among men.
This book is a treasure house of such stories: stories from the Talmud, stories from the Midrash, stories about great men throughout the centuries. These hundreds of stories are filled with the warmth and wisdom of the Torah translated into the lives of its people.
Purchase it here.
A wonderful collection of stories from our Sages and the great Torah and Chassidic leaders, arranged according to the Sidra.
The Talmud teaches that, in significant ways, a student benefits more from serving and observing his teachers than from studying under them ... because there are priceless lessons to be learned from the way a great person acts, from the way he absorbs the teachings of the Torah and lets them transform him into an ambassador of G-d among men.
This book is a treasure house of such stories: stories from the Talmud, stories from the Midrash, stories about great men throughout the centuries. These hundreds of stories are filled with the warmth and wisdom of the Torah translated into the lives of its people.
Purchase it here.
A Biblical word study on the Hebrew term "Torah." This book attempts to present the five books of Moses in a positive light as God's instruction book for all, especially for believers in Yeshua the Messiah.
This book will change your life. Gracious in its tone, stunning in its revelations, it is a fundamentally transformative work that should be read by everyone who seeks to truly understand their Bible.
Purchase it here.
A Biblical word study on the Hebrew term "Torah." This book attempts to present the five books of Moses in a positive light as God's instruction book for all, especially for believers in Yeshua the Messiah.
This book will change your life. Gracious in its tone, stunning in its revelations, it is a fundamentally transformative work that should be read by everyone who seeks to truly understand their Bible.
Purchase it here.
The pages of church history are marked by countless horrors committed against the Jewish people.
From the first persecutions of the Jews in the fourth century to the horrors of the Holocaust, from Israel-bashing in today's press to anti-Semitism spouted from the pulpit, this painful book tells the tragic story that every Christian must read.
In a freshly updated and expanded edition of this pivotal work, Dr. Michael Brown exposes the faulty theological roots that opened the door to anti-Semitism in Church history, explaining why well-meaning believers so often fall into the trap of hate... and showing how individuals can bring an end to the cycle of violence.
Purchase it here.
The pages of church history are marked by countless horrors committed against the Jewish people.
From the first persecutions of the Jews in the fourth century to the horrors of the Holocaust, from Israel-bashing in today's press to anti-Semitism spouted from the pulpit, this painful book tells the tragic story that every Christian must read.
In a freshly updated and expanded edition of this pivotal work, Dr. Michael Brown exposes the faulty theological roots that opened the door to anti-Semitism in Church history, explaining why well-meaning believers so often fall into the trap of hate... and showing how individuals can bring an end to the cycle of violence.
Purchase it here.