In 1939, the English apologist C. S. Lewis made this statement in a letter: “The process of living seems to consist in coming to realize truths so ancient and simple that, if stated, they sound like barren platitudes.” Here’s my translation of what Mr. Lewis was trying to say, in the context of trying to […]
It was on this day that King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain issued a warning to Jews that, beginning on the following day and by the end of July, all Jews must depart their country. Even as they were issuing this edit to expel all Jews from their country, they were also sponsoring a […]
It was on this day that Solomon began construction of the Temple in Jerusalem. The Holy Temple was one of the most magnificent structures that existed in the ancient world. Though the wealth and treasure that went into the building of this Temple were vast, one of the most fascinating aspects of the Temple were […]
Today is the final day of the month of Aviv and we are currently in the time of “counting the Omer.” The word, omer, is an unit of dry measure for things like grains and other dry commodities that was used in the era of the Sanctuary. It is estimated to be about 3.64 liters […]
It was on this day that the walls of Jericho fell down flat, as recorded in Joshua 6: “It came to pass on the seventh day that they rose early, about the dawning of the day, and marched around the city seven times in the same manner. On that day only they marched around the […]
It was on this day in 1951 that the Israeli Knesset passed a resolution proclaiming this day as Holocaust Remembrance Day, or in Hebrew, Yom Hashoah. This day commemorates the execution of six million Jews and the attempted extermination of all European Jews by the Nazis in the 1930s and 40s. Others, besides the Jews, […]
According to tradition, it was on this day that Joshua, the son of Nun, passed away, as recorded in Joshua 24: “Now it came to pass after these things that Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died, being one hundred and ten years old. And they buried him within the border […]
On this day, Israel arrived at Elim where they discovered twelve springs and remained there for twenty days. This is recorded in Exodus 15. “Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve wells of water and seventy palm trees so they camped there by the waters.” (Exodus 15:27) Yesterday we spoke of the bitter […]
It was on this day that Israel paused at Marah after crossing the Red Sea. It’s recorded in Exodus 15: “So Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea; then they went out into the Wilderness of Shur. And they went three days in the wilderness and found no water. Now when they came to Marah, […]
It was on this day, according to tradition, that Joshua and the children of Israel began their march around the city of Jericho. It’s recorded in Joshua 6: Then Joshua the son of Nun called the priests and said to them, “Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets […]
It was on this day, so says tradition, that Israel crossed through the Red Sea followed by Pharaoh and his chariots. When the waters closed upon the Egyptians and they were destroyed, Israel sang the “Shirah” – the song celebrating their deliverance. A portion of that song says: “I will sing to the Lord, for […]
According to Jewish tradition, it was on this day that Pharaoh, thinking that the wilderness had shut them in, caught up with the Hebrews while they were encamped at Pi Hahiroth – “the mouth of the gorges.” Israel came to be at this place because, as they were leaving Egypt, God told them to make […]
