Surely the most famous passage from the Torah is the Shema, the verse from today’s Torah portion that proclaims: “Hear O Israel!  The Holy One is our God, The Holy One alone.”  That verse is recited twice during public prayer (morning and afternoon services) and once in bed before going to sleep for the night.  Many synagogues emblazon those words above the Aron Kodesh, the Holy Ark, or on the wall of their Sanctuary.  And, traditionally, those are the last words a Jew recites immediately before dying. Read more...

What is the proper emotional attitude to take toward God?  In our day, as in the past, religious human beings divide into two general camps.  Some argue that we must fear and venerate God, while others stress the need to love God.   Read more...

When you think of the core teachings of Judaism, certain essentials quickly come to mind -- the liberation from Egyptian slavery, the 'Shema' declaring the uniqueness of God, the Ten Commandments, affirming a moral and sacred order to human existence, and the ensuing list of 'mitzvot' and 'halachah' (Jewish law), which implements the love relationship between God and the Jewish People.   Read more...

What is the proper emotional attitude to take toward God?  In our day, as in the past, religious human beings divide into two general camps.  Some argue that we must fear and venerate God, while others stress the need to love God.   Read more...