Torah Cafe

Jewish observance has evolved significantly over our long history and varies from community to community. While the commandments and laws have not changed over our history and are practically identical in every community, the variations are in Jewish customs which have evolved significantly over the generations.  Where do Jewish customs come from? How do customs become part of Jewish practice? Can customs be wrong?A fascinating discussion about the role of Jewish customs.

In Judaism, we believe that the Torah was written cryptically in code form. To derive commandments and laws from the Torah we need to decipher that code. What is the code that is used to decipher the Torah? How is it employed? Has the Torah's code been fully deciphered in the past 3,000 years our people have studied it?

One of the most esoteric parts of Tanach (the Hebrew Scriptures) is the description of the Merkava or G-d's chariot described twice in detail in the book of Ezekiel. Kabbalists have written extensively, explaining the meaning and significance of each detail described in the Merkava.A fascinating discussion about the Merkava and its meaning. 

Rav Saadia Gaon, was one of the most famous Geonim who led the great schools in Babylon during the geonic period (500-1000 CE). Rav Saadia, was known for his many works that he wrote on Jewish law and on Jewish beliefs. He also fought the Kaarites, a group that broke away from traditional Judaism.A fascinating discussion about Rav Saadia Gaon, his life story, teachings and his impact on Judaism today. 

The Pharisees and the Sadducees were two groups that fought for religious and political dominance of the Jewish people during the Second Temple period (350 BCE - 70 CE).  Who were they? What did they believe? How did they impact Judaism as we know it today?

Mules are perhaps the best known animal crossbreeds. They have been used extensively throughout history as work animals and are still used today. However, the Torah prohibits us from cross breeding animals or even making different animal species work together. A fascinating discussion about crossbreeding and mixing animals according to Jewish law. 

The Jewish community in Holland began after the country became a republic in 1581. It was the first country to offer freedom to Jews and many Jews flocked there especially Spanish and Portuguese conversos. For much of the 17th and 18th centuries, Amsterdam's Jewish community was the largest and most prominent in Europe. That came to a sudden end with the Holocaust that decimated Dutch Jewry. Yet, Jews and Judaism continue to thrive in Holland today. 

Perhaps the greatest Jewish scholar of all time was Rabbi Akiva. The Talmud tells us the Moses was in awe of the brilliance of Rabbi Akiva.Rabbi Akiva, who lived in the 2nd Century CE is also perhaps the most fascinating Jewish leader. A simple illiterate shepherd, he married, Rachel the daughter of the wealthiest man in Israel. At forty he went to school for the first time but quickly became Israel's greatest scholar. His life is full of twists and turns until it end under Roman torture. 

The sefirot are 10 tools that G-d used to create our world according to Jewish mystical teachings of Kabbalah, We each have 10 sefirot in our soul as well. We count the 49 days between the first day of Passover and the festival of Shavuot, known as the counting of the Omer. During these days, we can develop our own character by focusing each week on one of the seven emotional Sefirot.A discussion about the Sefirot and our self-development during the Omer period.  

The Seder has many unique parts to it. Many of the Seder's various parts have deep mystical significance. The Seder plate sits on the seder table in front of the person leasing the Seder. Each item on the Seder plate has a unique role at the Seder in addition to having deep mystical significance. A fascinating discussion about the Seder plate and its powerful mystical significance.