It seems obvious that striking back at an enemy is a gratifying but lower response than forgiving the trespass in the first place.  A person who is able to overlook having been wronged demonstrates a higher form of moral sensitivity, by setting priorities that preclude a need to get back at someone else. That line of reasoning was given its classical formulation in the Christian Scripture, with the mandate to "turn the other cheek."  If someone slaps you on one side of the face, rather than slapping back, simply offer your other cheek to be slapped. Read more...

The calendar of the Jewish holidays is an introductory course in Jewish theology and history, complete in itself.  Through the cycles of holy days, festivals, memorials and fast days – all rich with traditions, readings, meditations and rituals – a Jew can become familiar with the basic values, beliefs and history which have sustained us as a people. One celebration which used to be quite prominent in Biblical times has been relegated to a place of lesser prominence in post-Biblical practice, and it deserves another look:  Rosh Hodesh, the New Moon. Read more...

After the Israelites sin at Baal-Pe’or, God lashes out in anger, ordering Moses to "Take all the heads of the people and have them publicly impaled."   Before Moses can act on God's command, a leading Israelite named Zimri and a leading Midianite woman named Cozbi enter the sacred site of the Tent of Meeting and there, before the entire people, begin to copulate.  This arrogant escalation of sin inflames Pinhas, the leader of the Levitical guards, who grabs a spear and impales the two sinners.  Read more...

After the sin of Baal-Pe’or, when our ancestors began to worship an idol, God responded by unleashing a terrible plague. Sinners and innocent alike were stricken, and the plague was only stopped through the intercession of Pinhas. As remembered by the psalmist: “Then Pinhas stood up and vay-falel and so the plague was stayed, and that was counted to him for righteousness to all generations forevermore.” Read more...

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