One day, while passing through the disreputable district of Samaria, Jesus encountered a woman at a well. You know the story. The woman, uncomfortable at the direction of the conversation, switched to a religious point: “Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to […]
The four cups of Passover are an integral part of the Passover celebration. They stand for each of the four promises the Lord makes to His people in Exodus 6:6-7. The Cup of Sanctification “I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.”
One of the most moving moments in the life of Jesus occurs at the very end of His earthly ministry. It is known as the Last Supper – the final gathering of Jesus and the disciples to celebrate Passover on the last night of His earthly life. Although many believers have been aware of the […]
O Hanukkah, O Hanukkah A festival of joy A holiday, a jolly day For every girl and boy Spin the whirling dreydls All week long Eat the sizzling latkes Sing a happy song Hanukkah! Even the most sophisticated, secular Jewish person cannot help feeling merry when Hanukkah rolls around. Who wouldn’t? It’s a celebration that […]
Have you heard about Madonna’s recent visit to Israel? It was well covered in a New York Times story dated September 20, where she is quoted as saying, “I’m here as a student of Kabbalah…. A kabbalist believes that he or she has the responsibility to make the world a better place.” * Traveling as […]
By Scott N. While Jesus was in Jerusalem observing the Passover, many began to follow Him, seeing the miraculous signs he performed (John 2:23). The crowds following Jesus and His purification of the Temple courtyard caused quite a commotion and piqued the curiosity of Nicodemus, a leader of the Pharisees and a member of the […]
By Alan Shore Cultures all over the world keep track of time – from seconds to millennia. The New Year is often seen as a time to mark the turning of a new leaf, and in this respect Judaism is no different. For Judaism, however, the New Year is also accompanied by deep reflection about […]
By Alan Shore Judaism does not have a single, unified theory about the origin of good and evil. The Kabbalists (Jewish mystics) understood the brokenness of the universe to be the result of shattered vessels that had proven too weak to hold the primordial light present in the act of creation, and believe that evil […]
Forgiveness. What more comforting word could there be, especially when we know how much we are in need of it? Forgiveness is at the heart of the Gospel message. The sinful woman who bathed Jesus’ feet with the tears accumulated over the course of a lifetime understood. And her love for Him overflowed to such […]
Anyone who has ever traveled knows how confusing it can be to get around. It’s not enough to say, “I want to get from point A to point B.” You’ll need directions, landmarks, warnings about treacherous terrain. And you’ll want to know the rules of the road, so that you’ll be able to avoid those […]