Dovid Saks, Author at Jewish Heritage Connection

Nov 07

Captured!

By Dovid Saks in 5780, Beraishis

In this week’s portion the Torah records the first war in history. Four powerful kingdoms fought against five weaker kingdoms and during the war Lot the nephew of our forefather Avraham was captured. Og, the great giant, notified Avraham who immediately gathered a small group and without arms went to save Lot. Targum Yonason Ben …

Lech Lecha

Oct 31

Name Calling!

By Dovid Saks in 5780, Beraishis

There is a lot of ‘name calling’ in the first portion of the Torah, but I mean it in a good way. The Torah relates that G-d called His creations by name, such as; Ohr – light, Laila – night, Yam – ocean, Aretz – land, and of course Adam – man. The Torah explains …

Noach

Oct 24

What About Me!

By Dovid Saks in 5780, Beraishis

The Talmud relates that the Torah preceded the creation of the world by many years. The Kabalah – the source of our mystical teachings – relates that when G-d was ready to create the world He peered into the Torah using it as a blueprint for creation. When G-d gave us the Torah He commanded …

Beraishis

Oct 18

Lets Dance!

By Dovid Saks in 5780, Simchas Torah

On Simchas Torah we complete the Torah – the five Books of Moshe – with the reading of the portion called, V’zos Habrocha. The final eight verses describe our leader Moshe’s death, his burial, and the thirty day mourning period that the nation observed. The Torah tells us that Moshe was buried in a place …

Oct 11

A Big Deal!

By Dovid Saks in 5780, Succos Message

The Talmud relates that there is a Heavenly judgment on the world four times during the year: On Pesach, the world is judged on how much grain it would produce. An indication to this is that the Torah mandates that we bring an offering of newly harvested barley on Pesach. On the Holiday of Shavuos …

Oct 07

Please Leave!

By Dovid Saks in 5780, Yom Kippur Message

Reciting Yizkor on Yom Kippur is one of the universal and hallowed traditions of the day. After we read from the Torah, before the Mussaf service begins, we place the two Torah scroll that we read from side by side on the Bimah and a Talis is draped over them. There is an announcement – …

Yom Kippur

Oct 03

Game Plan!

By Dovid Saks in 5780, Devorim

We are currently in the special ten day period between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. The verse in Isaiah says, “Seek out G-d when He is in close proximity.” Our Sages teach us that this refers to the closeness that G-d has with us during these ten days of repentance. The verse is actually surprising …

Vayailech

Sep 26

Sounds!

By Dovid Saks in 5780, Rosh Hashana Message

We all know that the Shofar is the instrument we use to sound the blasts on Rosh Hashana. Although the naturally hollow horns of most animals are kosher, traditionally, the type of Shofar used is a ram’s horn. The reason the ram’s horn is the Shofar of choice is because it is a reminder to …

Rosh Hashana

Sep 19

Because I’m Happy!

By Dovid Saks in 5779, Devorim

In this week’s portion the Torah tells us of personal and national tragedies that will befall the Jewish people if they do not uphold and observe the Torah. Surprisingly, in the middle of the rebuke the verse states, “These calamities will come upon you because in the midst of your plenty you did not serve …

Ki Savo

Sep 12

Chewing in his Ear!

By Dovid Saks in 5779, Devorim

Through hints, acronyms and Gematria’s that are embedded in the Hebrew letters, words and verses of Torah we come to appreciate the fascinating precision, symmetry and accuracy of our holy Torah and tradition. Elul, the month that precedes Rosh Hashana, is spelled with four Hebrew letters. There are numerous verses where the first letters of …

Ki Seitzai

Dovid Saks

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