In the first parasha of the third book of the Torah, Vayikra, there is a long discussion of the obligations and methods of animal sacrifice. The animal is killed and consumed by fire. The physical remains cease to exist. Those who partake in and observe this ritual are vicariously experiencing the transition to death. DespiteContinue reading “Understanding Animal Sacrifice in Spiritual Practices”
Category Archives: 3. My Sinai
PARASHA TETZAVEH – CLOTHING
This is the parasha in which every word is God speaking. A main topic is describing the garments of the priests. This highlights the importance of the clothes we wear. Clothing is intimately associated with our holiness. In the Torah, God commands us to be Holy. We distinguish ourselves from all other lifeforms on theContinue reading “PARASHA TETZAVEH – CLOTHING”
BUILDING THE SANCTUARY IN THE DESERT
The English title of the second book of the Torah is “Exodus,” because this is the book wherein the children of Israel leave Egypt. It is also the book that contains the giving of the Ten Commandments. Significant happenings. This book consists of eleven chapters. The last five chapters are dedicated to the building ofContinue reading “BUILDING THE SANCTUARY IN THE DESERT”
ROSH HASHANAH AND PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
Parashat Nitzavim begins with a call for ALL the Jewish people to stand together. The men, the women, and the children are all to be a community. We thrive in our community. Our community supports us and we work with others for the betterment of all. We derive many benefits, including education, spiritual strength,Continue reading “ROSH HASHANAH AND PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY”
REINCARNATION and MEMORY – Part 7 of 7
The past is a powerful and eternal energy. Its persistence and recallability may relate to a biblical narrative. The tangible, theoretical, and [someday] measurable existence of past events contrasts with the faith needed to add God and a soul to the equation of remembered past lives. Faith will, by definition, never be scientifically provable. ObjectiveContinue reading “REINCARNATION and MEMORY – Part 7 of 7”
REINCARNATION and MEMORY – Part 5 of 7
EVERY MOMENT OF THE PAST IS ENSHRINED IN ITS TIME. IT ENDURES IN ITS OWN INSTANTS. IT REMAINS AS A PALPABLE AND DISCERNIBLE REALITY AS A FORCE OF ENERGY An action or a sound creates a permanent record of itself. This record persists as a theoretically recallable event at the time it occurred. If oneContinue reading “REINCARNATION and MEMORY – Part 5 of 7”
REINCARNATION and MEMORY – Part 4 of 7
OBJECTIVE MEMORY Yesterday’s experience becomes today’s memory. Recall begins with the actual events, which are processed through the mind into consciousness. This operation weaves emotions, biases, previous understandings, and judgmentalism into the true facts. Conscious recollection is imperfect, at best. Human beings have a poor record of accurately remembering their own personal histories. Why shouldContinue reading “REINCARNATION and MEMORY – Part 4 of 7”
REINCARNATION and MEMORY – Part 1 of 7
DEFINITION AND PROOF Generally, when we speak of reincarnation, we mean that our essence has reappeared in a new human body. This is the connotation pertinent to the following discussion. There are broader implications to this concept. One is that this essence can be reborn into any form of life. Another is that it canContinue reading “REINCARNATION and MEMORY – Part 1 of 7”
UNDERSTANDING SPIRITUALITY
A common theme in many of my blogs is the importance and relevance of seeking a spiritual connection in life. I find that focusing on, connecting with, and nourishing our spiritual nature adds expansiveness and transcendence to the material world we live in. Awakening the human spiritual energies is the path to becoming Holy. TheContinue reading “UNDERSTANDING SPIRITUALITY”
QUESTIONING GOD
God is described as all-seeing, eternal, and infinite. Of course, these are human descriptions of the deity. We mortals, by our nature, need to describe things. The problem is that descriptions set limits, whereas God is limitless. Can we question such an ethereal, celestial entity? Is that even possible? Do we have the right orContinue reading “QUESTIONING GOD”
Health and Spirit by Dr. Jack Zoldan 