“Try it, you’ll like it,” with its call to learn through experience, is, by all measures, one of the most successful advertising campaigns to come out of Madison Avenue. Judaism, in a much more sophisticated and profound way, has experiential learning woven right into its very fabric.
Why do we have a “New Year” for Trees? Contrary to common belief, it has nothing to do with planting trees. So what is the philosophical importance of recognizing this “New Year”?
The Pesach Seder is one of the most ubiquitous religious performances in all of Jewish life. It is a night or two (outside of Israel) of learning, centered around a festive holiday meal that we enjoy together with family and friends. The very first Pesach Seder, which took place in Egypt, is vividly described in this week’s Torah portion, Bo.
When reading about our great Torah personalities in the Tanakh, we often read with rose-colored glasses. We project an idealized image on to its leading characters how contemporary society portrays piety. Having this view of our great matriarchs and patriarchs, our foundational leaders, in fact, does us great harm.
What is the most important law of physics? Which is major and which is minor? How about Jewish holidays, are some more important than others?
In this week’s parasha, Vayishlach, our patriarch Yaakov, has a reunion with his brother Esau. His actions bring lessons on how adhering steadfastly to our Torah is our only safeguard against the modern-day Esaus of the world.
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