This Shabbos is called Shabbos Hagadol – the great Shabbos. Let us examine how this Shabbos got its name. The Talmud explains that on the Shabbos before the Jews left Egypt, each Jew took a male lamb and tied it to their bedposts. When the Egyptians saw this, they asked what they were doing. The …
Category: 5779
Apr 04
Zodiac!
- By Dovid Saks in 5779, Vayikra
This Shabbos is Rosh Chodesh Nissan, which the Torah calls the first month of the year. Thus our calendar year has two firsts. Rosh Hashanah, which marks the creation of Adam and when G-d judges us for the year, is celebrated in Tishrei – the seventh month of the year. Then there is Nissan, the …
Mar 28
Who is Arneves!
- By Dovid Saks in 5779, Vayikra
The Talmud relates that King Ptolemy II forced 72 Jewish sages to translate the written Torah into Greek (The Septuagint). This was the first time the Written Torah was translated into another language and it was Ptolemy’s wish that the nations of the world gain access to our Torah. Ptolemy chose 72 Sages, and without …
Mar 20
Body and the Soul!
- By Dovid Saks in 5779, Purim Message, Vayikra
The Hebrew calendar is set up in such a way that the Holiday of Purim – the 14th day of Adar – cannot coincide with Shabbos. However even if Purim would fall on Shabbos – which in fact does happen even today in a walled city like Jerusalem which celebrates Purim a day later on …
Mar 14
Positivity!
- By Dovid Saks in 5779, Shemos
Our Sages teach us that when the month of Adar comes around we should increase our Simcha – our happiness and joy! The dictate instructs us to increase our joy in Adar – which implies that we are to always maintain some level of joy. The Baal Shem Tov comments that in order for one …
Mar 07
Three Words!
- By Dovid Saks in 5779, Shemos
The word HaMishkan, which refers to the Tabernacle, is mentioned in the opening verse of this week’s portion. It is immediately followed again by the word Mishkan. Since every letter of the Torah is sacred why is this word repeated? The great commentator, Rashi, explains that the Mishkan, the Tabernacle, built by the Jews in …
Feb 27
Love’s Got to do With It!
- By Dovid Saks in 5779, Shemos
Unfortunately, anti- Semitism is on the rise – and sadly, it’s raising its ugly head throughout the world. Hate is an awful thing and one has to be blind and deaf not to notice it. But from where does this hatred toward us stem? The Torah relates that Aisav, the brother of our forefather Yaacov, …
Feb 21
24 Years!
- By Dovid Saks in 5779, Shemos
Torah Portion: Ki Sisah Exodus 30:11 – 34:35 The Tablets that contained the Ten Commandments are discussed in this week’s Parsha. Moshe descended Mount Sinai with sapphire Tablets that originated in the Heavens. The Torah describes the script as, “engraved with G-d’s finger.” This script was miraculous, for even though it was carved through and …
Feb 14
Bells!
- By Dovid Saks in 5779, Shemos
In the beginning of the Megilla of Esther it describes the decor, draperies, pillars and ambiance of the king’s palace. One of the materials mentioned is, Chur, which begins with the letter Ches. This letter Ches is traditionally written in a larger font. The Rokaech enlightens us with the deeper meaning of the large Ches. …
Feb 07
Competitors!
- By Dovid Saks in 5779, Shemos
This week’s Torah portion deals with the construction of the Tabernacle in the desert. At the beginning of the portion G-d commands Moshe to instruct the Jewish people to wholeheartedly contribute to Him. Moshe then specified the materials to be contributed. Finally, Moshe told them that the campaign was for the construction of a Temple. …
Jewish Heritage Connection
Rabbi Dovid Saks, Director
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Scranton, PA 18510
(570) 346-1321
Shabbat Candle Lighting Time
Shabbat Times for May 10, 2024
Scranton, PA US
Parshas Kedoshim
Candle Lighting Time: 11:42 PM
Developed by AdatoSystems.com.
Key features by Hebcal.com.
Scranton, PA US
Parshas Kedoshim
Candle Lighting Time: 11:42 PM
Developed by AdatoSystems.com.
Key features by Hebcal.com.