Year: 2018

by Rabbi Jeffrey Adler In Isaiah 6, the prophet is dealing with the death of Judah’s king, Uzziah. Uzziah had been Judah”s king for 52 years, the second longest reign of all the rulers of Israel and Judah. He had also been very successful, establishing Judah as a major commercial and military force. Yet, at…

by Rabbi Jeffrey Adler Studies of Ezekiel tend to focus on the 1st half, the “vision of the valley of dry bones”. That thrilling prophecy is wonderful and profound, of course, but, the 2nd half is also a wonderful demonstration of the Divine character and God’s love and faithfulness toward Israel. Verse 15-17 reads, “The…

by Rabbi Jeffrey Adler In our previous dealings with Ezekiel 37, the famous “Vision of the Valley of Dry Bones”, we saw God take the prophet to the floor of a valley filled with dead, dry bones, representing the apparent destiny of the Jewish people after centuries of our defiance of Adonai and His Torah…

by Rabbi Jeffrey Adler Ezekiel had a very difficult task: to deliver the messages of Adonai against a backdrop of darkness and divine judgement. He, like the other prophets, was a true patriot, wanting to give a proclamation of good news; yet, to do so would have been in defiance of the Lord Who had…

by Rabbi Jeffrey A. Adler Love is a popular topic for discussion these days. Our culture, particularly the religious culture, talks about it all the time. Generally, the mainstream sees love as acceptance of everyone and his quirks, even if those quirks and lifestyles run counter to Adonai and every principle of His Kingdom. People…

by Thomas Blackburn   The United States changes from day to day When I was a kid it wasn’t that way; The national anthem gave me butterflies to sing, A lump in my throat the Pledge of Allegiance did bring.   We were taught in school, pride and respect Of family and country, of old…

by Rabbi Jeffrey A. Adler King David opens the 16th Psalm with a fervent plea: “Shomreni El ki-chasiti v’ka”; “Keep me safe, O God, for in You I have found shelter.” Here, David uses the imperative mood of “shamar”, a verb typically used in the Hebrew text to relate watchful care. Isaiah 62:6 refers to…

Staff of HaShomer The Scriptures instruct the Jewish people to observe 3 “fixed times” in the Fall season. The first of the three “fixed times” in this season is called Rosh HaShanah. Many understand Rosh HaShanah as “The Jewish New Year” to be celebrated with lots of food, family and celebration, much of what it…

by Rabbi Jeffrey Adler Psalm 110 is a profound statement anticipatory of the unique stature of the Messiah. David begins: “Adonai (the Tetragammata representing the ineffable Divine Name) said to Adoni (my Lord), ‘shev l’yimini ad ashit oy’veyka hadom l’ragleyka.’” “Adonai said to my Lord, ‘Sit (or, dwell) at My right hand until I make…

by Rabbi Jeffrey A. Adler Psalm 2 is a classic Biblical song about the war between sinful Man and the God who created him and wants to bring him to his greatest potential while Man, himself, refuses to acknowledge that his own ways are not the best and lead down a destructive path. Verse 1…