613 Commandments

King David wrote in Psalms 19:7 “The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.” In the New Covenant Paul wrote in Romans 7:12 “So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.” Are Christians then under the … Read more

What is Antisemitism

What is Antisemitism? There are three major, accepted definitions of antisemitism that are commonly used as canon in determining if statements and acts are antisemitic in character. They are the International Holocaust Remembrance Association (IHRA), the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism (JDA), and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) statements. One of the main differences between the definitions … Read more

Light in the Darkness

We live in a world that is becoming increasingly dark. This is true in Chicago, our Nation, Israel, Ukraine and sadly even in the Church. Israel just before the war broke out was on the verge of civil war. Our country also has experienced divisiveness. The division in Israel for the most part was based … Read more

Kristalnacht

Thoughts on Kristallnacht – On Thursday night, November 9, 2023, the Jewish community remembers – Kristallnacht, the Night of the Broken Glass. This day in 1938 was the beginning of the outworking of the genocidal thinking of Nazi Germany. The policies first articulated in Hitler’s Mein Kamph. With the muted response by German society and … Read more

The Coming King

Rosh Hashanah means literally head of the year. It is the anniversary of creation. The Jewish New Year occurred When Israel became a nation at Passover. In ancient times Trumpets would blow on the anniversary of when a King ascended his throne. Rabbis teach that one of the reasons we blow the Shofar on Rosh Hashanah … Read more

The choices of Abraham

Saadia Gaon and Maimonides two of Israel’s most esteemed sages listed ten reasons why the Shofar is blown on Rosh Hashanah. Last night we considered two, that it was the anniversary of creation and to remember that God is King. A third reason is the akaida the binding of Isaac.  The portion of Scripture read in … Read more

Tisha B’Av

The 9th of Av which will be observed this year (2023) on July 27th is a day that calls Israel to fasting, prayer, and repentance. There are four such days that were cited by Zechariah 8:19: “The fasts of the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months will become joyful and glad occasions and happy festivals for Judah. Therefore, love truth and peace.”  The first … Read more