And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. — John 1:5, NKJV The Nicene Creed, hammered out in 325 CE by a council convened by an emperor who had not yet been baptized, produced a formula that has defined Christian orthodoxy ever since: lumen de lumine—light from light, true God from true
דַּבֵּר אֶל־בְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאָמַרְתָּ אֲלֵהֶם וְעָשׂוּ לָהֶם צִיצִת עַל־כַנְפֵי בִגְדֵיהֶם לְדֹרֹתָם וְנָתְנוּ עַל־צִיצִת הַכָּנָף פְּתִיל תְּכֵלֶת Daber el-b’nei Yisra’el v’amarta aleihem v’asu lahem tzitzit al-kanfei vigdeihem l’dorotam v’nat’nu al-tzitzit ha-kanaf p’til t’khelet Speak to the Israelites and say to them that they must make for themselves a tassel on the corners of their garments, throughout
Parashat Shelach Revisited Read More »
Speak to the Israelites and say to them that they must make for themselves a tassel on the corners of their garments, throughout their generations, and they must affix a wool thread dyed turquoise onto the tassel of each corner. This tassel will be for you. You must look at it and recall all the
“Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to Him, ‘Rabboni!’ (which is to say, Teacher).” — John 20:16, NKJV Seven. Before it is a number it is a structure. Seven days and creation is complete—not merely finished but whole, the seventh day itself the completion that gives meaning to the six that preceded it. Seven
The One Who Stayed Read More »
The Mishkan has no windows. The menorah is not there to help anyone see. Inside a windowless tent, in perpetual shadow, stands a lamp that faces away from every human being who might need its light. Its seven flames are directed inward—toward the central shaft, toward the Parochet, the curtain that screens the Holy of Holies,
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The snake did not merely tempt Eve. It left something behind. What passed between the serpent and the woman in the Garden was not only a conversation. It was a transaction—and the serpent did not leave empty-handed. Something remained after the encounter: a contamination, a residue, a film deposited into the channel between the human
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“Then Jesus answered and said to her, ‘O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.’ And her daughter was healed from that very hour.” — Matthew 15:28, NKJV She had no claim. By every measure the first century world recognized, she stood outside the circle of covenant, outside the tradition, outside
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Even though each of them presented an identical offering, they offered it regarding significant matters, and each and every one presented according to his perspective. —Bamidbar Rabbah 13:14 Numbers 7 is the longest chapter in the Torah. It is also, by almost any measure, the most repetitive. Twelve tribal princes bring offerings to dedicate the
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On the first day, Naḥshon son of Amminadab of the tribe of Judah presented his offering: one silver bowl weighing 130 shekels and one silver basin of 70 shekels by the sanctuary weight, both filled with choice flour with oil mixed in, for a grain offering; one gold ladle of 10 shekels, filled with incense…
A name. In the beginning, before light, before the separation of waters, before breath enters dust—there is the word. And the word names. G‑d names the light. G‑d names the darkness. G‑d names the waters and the dry land. He brings every living creature to Adam, and whatever Adam calls them, that is their name—the
