Monthly Archives: August 2021

South Hevron Mountain, picking grapes at my friends’ vineyard. “We’ll just do one row”, we think at the start of the day, and by the time the sun is setting we’re barely halfway done. I think of the blessing in … Continue reading →

כִּ֤י תִבְנֶה֙ בַּ֣יִת חָדָ֔שׁ וְעָשִׂ֥יתָ מַעֲקֶ֖ה לְגַגֶּ֑ךָ וְלֹֽא־תָשִׂ֤ים דָּמִים֙ בְּבֵיתֶ֔ךָ כִּֽי־יִפֹּ֥ל הַנֹּפֵ֖ל מִמֶּֽנּוּ (דברים כב:8)׃ When you build a new house, you shall make a railing for your roof, so that you do not bring bloodguilt on your house if … Continue reading →

“Justice, justice shall you pursue”, claims the Torah loudly. And we wonder, once would be enough! Why twice? (or – ??) “צדק, צדק תרדוף”, קוראת התורה בקול. ואנחנו תוהים, פעם אחת מספיק! למה פעמיים? The legalistic system holds within it … Continue reading →

…. but look only to the site that the LORD your God will choose amidst all your tribes as His habitation, to establish His name there. There you are to go…. …. כִּ֠י אִֽם־אֶל־הַמָּק֞וֹם אֲשֶׁר־יִבְחַ֨ר ה’ אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶם֙ מִכׇּל־שִׁבְטֵיכֶ֔ם לָשׂ֥וּם אֶת־שְׁמ֖וֹ … Continue reading →