“Everyone is obligated to say: The world was created for me” (Sanhedrin 37a). “We have the importance of an entire universe.” (Rashi) This does not refer to an illusory selfish feeling of arrogantly thinking to be better than others. Every human is a one-time phenomenon. When a person is born, it’s like the creation of Adam; Read More
Author: Xus Casal
MEAT AND DAIRY
by Xus Casal NOTE: This is a transcription (and translation) of a teaching given in Spanish some time ago. It was intended for Bnei Noah and gentiles who are interested in learning and observing Torah, but are far from being in the same level of Orthodox Jews. Like Rabbi Hillel would say, the most Read More
Emunah series (Drash’em on the Road)
Drash’em on the Road: Emunah series is a collection of “on-the-road” videos dealing with topics that have to do with the concept of Emunah, or authentic faith. You can also click here for more general topics on this “Drash’em on the Road” video series. Emunah episode 1 – From Be’ersheva to Charan Emunah episode 2 Read More
Drash’em on the Road
Drash’em on the road (video series) “Drash’em on the Road” is a collection of thoughts, ideas, musings and ponderings that some of the “13 petals” staff memebers had while driving, as they spend so much time on the road due to their lifestyles. Some of the videos were taken many years ago and shared privately Read More
The God of Israel. Why did I believe?
1st thought: To believe in God because It makes you feel better. Atheists commonly say that believers believe in God because it makes us feel better. And in part that’s truth. It’s scientifically proven than prayer, meditation and faith in the Transcendence makes people feel better. However, If I’m going to believe in God, It Read More
Eliezer meets Yaaqov
introduction: The story we are going to tackle today is about that time when Rabbi Eliezer ben Hyrcanus met a disciple of Yeshua of Nazareth. The baraitha (i.e., a story that was known orally but wasn’t written down until much later) depicts a friendly conversation between the two, but ends up with Eliezer being denounced Read More
Why is Rosh haShana New Year?
What is Rosh haShana? Our sages gave this name to the 1st day of the 7th Biblical month, which is called Tishrei in Jewish calendar (Tishrei תשרי derives from the Akkadian language and means “the beginning”, directly related to the Hebrew ‘Reshit’ ראשית). In Scripture it is called Yom Teruah יום תרועה (the day Read More
Ki Tetzei: The Bird’s Nest
“If you come across a bird’s nest in the way… Do not take the mother bird together with the children” (Deut 22:6) A RATIONAL APPROACH Like most commands in the Bible, God doesn’t tell us his reasons for this command. It is up to us to obey first and then understand, as stated Read More
Parashat Ekev – the Heel and Messiah
“It will come to pass, because (eikev) you will listen to these judgments… God will safeguard unto you the covenant and the kindness he swore to your fathers” (Dt7:12). One expects this to be conditional: “If you’d listen to these judgments” (Im tiShmeun et hamishpatim haEleh), but it says: “Because you will listen to these Read More
Emor – Unifying God’s Name
“Say to Aaron… None of your descendants who has a defect may come near… No man who has any defect may… come near the curtain or approach the altar and so desecrate my sanctuary” (Lv 21:16-21). The congregation of Israel is called whole (heb. shalem); as it’s written: “Malki-Tzedek king of wholeness (Shalem)” (Gn 14:18). Read More