TL;DR: The creation of humanity in Genesis is the climax and purpose of all creation, with Jewish tradition and Scripture both emphasizing that the universe only becomes fully meaningful when human beings appear. My dear readers, last time we started anew to read the Torah, and as we begin again from the very beginning, we […]
Each year, as we finish reading the Torah and immediately begin again with Bereshit, we are reminded that the study of God’s Word is a never-ending circle. On Simchat Torah, we celebrate this remarkable rhythm: no sooner do we complete the last verses of Devarim than we return joyfully to the first words of Genesis—“Bereshit […]
Zman simchateynu—“the season of our joy” In Israel, we have just finished celebrating Sukkot—the Feast of Tabernacles. The streets of Jerusalem were filled with pilgrims, families gathered in their sukkot decorated with fruits and lights, and prayers for rain rose up from every congregation. As always, there was a sense of joy, renewal, and anticipation […]
The Sound of the Shofar The Torah does not tell us explicitly why we are commanded to blow the shofar on Rosh Hashanah. Over the centuries, countless explanations have been offered. Some say: “On Rosh Hashanah we acknowledge God as King of the world. The shofar’s call heralds this majestic event.” Others point to Sinai: […]
Shalom and Chag Sameach, dear friends! You probably know that here in Israel, we are entering a season called Chagim: Feasts, or Holidays. And the first Holiday is Rosh HaShanah, the Jewish New Year. What is Rosh HaShanah? Biblical Background Rosh Hashanah is a two-day celebration, which begins on the first day of the Jewish month […]
From Reflections to the Image My dear readers, we continue with the “Hidden Messiah” theme —a theme that, to me, has always felt like a secret thread woven through both Jewish and Christian thought. Much has changed since my first interest in the Hidden Messiah, but this mystery hasn’t gone away. In fact, as I […]
Years ago, when I first began writing about the “Hidden Messiah” in Jewish thought, I didn’t yet realize how deep and wide this motif would run through the texts of the Second Temple period. The idea that the Messiah might be concealed, unrecognized, or even rejected—while still fulfilling his divinely appointed mission—runs counter to many […]
We’ve been exploring the figure of the Hidden Messiah in Jewish literature. We have seen him enthroned in the heavens in apocalyptic writings, in Daniel, and in the books of Enoch; we have seen him quietly concealed in the sectarian visions of Qumran. But now we arrive at a more central and fascinating question: was […]
The Hebrew Bible presents a vivid vision of divine kingship. The mashiach—the anointed one—was always a real, tangible figure: a reigning monarch or consecrated priest, chosen to rule or serve visibly among the people. This is the world of David and Solomon, of priests and temple rituals, all conducted within the historical and geographical frame […]
Years ago, when I first began writing about the “Hidden Messiah” in Jewish thought, I didn’t yet realize how deep and wide this motif would run through the texts of the Second Temple period. The idea that the Messiah might be concealed, unrecognized, or even rejected—while still fulfilling his divinely appointed mission—runs counter to many […]
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