drzoldansblog

WHY WERE THERE TEN PLAGUES IN EGYPT?

In the Torah, in the book of Shemot (Exodus), in the parashahs of “Va’eira” and “Bo,” the ten plagues occur. These are often seen as punishments upon the Egyptians for their having enslaved and mistreated the Children of Israel. But commentators have noted that it could have been a much quicker and just as effectiveContinue reading “WHY WERE THERE TEN PLAGUES IN EGYPT?”

DO NOT WANDER WITH YOUR HEART OR YOUR MIND

The Shema is a prayer in three paragraphs considered to be the definitive declaration of faith in God. (See my blog: “Hear, O Israel” of June 4, 2020). The third paragraph is taken from the Torah, the book of Numbers, the section called “Shelach. An important exhortation in this paragraph is to not be distractedContinue reading “DO NOT WANDER WITH YOUR HEART OR YOUR MIND”

LOW BACK PROBLEMS

At some time in their lives, over 85% of people experience some problems related to the lower back. Pain, stiffness, limitation of movement, and nerve compression syndromes are the most common symptoms. The discomfort of sciatica affects the lives of millions. Shrinkage of intervertebral cartilage, spinal bone density reduction, neuronal injury, arthritic changes, and narrowingContinue reading “LOW BACK PROBLEMS”

JACOB WRESTLES WITH SOMEONE

In the Book of Exodus, Parashah Vayishlach 32:25 the story of Jacob continues after his long absence from the Holy Land. Jacob returns to Canaan with his wives and children. He brings with him his accumulated wealth and many servants. But he is afraid of his brother Esau, whom he had deceived in order toContinue reading “JACOB WRESTLES WITH SOMEONE”

PREVENTIVE HEALTH PRACTICES OBVIATE HEALING COMPLICATIONS

There is nothing in the world like the recovery from an illness or an injury. The more extensive and wearying the disease, the greater the satisfaction when the episode is past. Fear is replaced by hope. Joy supplants pain. But reclaiming health is not the same as restoring the premorbid state. As described in anContinue reading “PREVENTIVE HEALTH PRACTICES OBVIATE HEALING COMPLICATIONS”

I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD WHO TOOK YOU OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT

The Children of Israel, Jacob’s family, came to Egypt and lived there to cope with a famine. They dwelled in the Land of Goshen and expanded with great fecundity. The Torah tells us these people were enslaved by Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. hundreds of years later, supported by God’s interventions, they escaped from theirContinue reading “I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD WHO TOOK YOU OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT”

I AM HERE – THE ESSENCE OF ENLIGHTENMENT

When God first called Moses from the burning bush, Moses answered by uttering the Hebrew word “Hineini.” (hee-nay-nee) This means “I Am Here.” This word appears 23 times in the Torah. There are several compelling examples of the use of the word “Hineini” in this Biblical text. When God called upon Abraham to killContinue reading “I AM HERE – THE ESSENCE OF ENLIGHTENMENT”

PRAYER: PETITION OR MEDITATION?

In the minds of many, prayer is often a request. The supplicant desires good health, a favorable outcome, success, financial security, peace on earth, or another in a litany of human desires. Some sublime, like equality and prosperity for all. Some not so elevated, like bad fortune for an enemy. Different people make contradicting requests,Continue reading “PRAYER: PETITION OR MEDITATION?”

DOES GOD KNOW THE FUTURE?

The material world is defined by its borders, edges, and limits. Everything we can observe, or experience, is confined. From the forces that determine the movements of galaxies to the size of an electron, it can be defined in space and time. Time itself has restrictions. The wholly spiritual is without boundary. We can describeContinue reading “DOES GOD KNOW THE FUTURE?”

ABDOMINAL MUSCLE STRENGTH AND GOOD HEALTH

The abdominal skeletal muscles extend from the lower edge of the anterior rib cage to the upper reaches of the frontal pelvic bones. They overlie each other in layers. Their effectiveness is augmented further by the crisscrossing orientation at the different levels. Lateral extension covers the sides. These fibers provide many services to enhance ourContinue reading “ABDOMINAL MUSCLE STRENGTH AND GOOD HEALTH”