The Weekly eDrash

From Parasha: Yitro

 

The Impassioned God

Tags:  bride, idolatary, idols, jealous God, ketubah, paganism, sacred marriage, zealous God

We should not think of them as rules imposed by an impersonal government. They are more like the wedding vows joyously taken by a blushing bride on her wedding day. If we understand the Torah as a ketubah (wedding contract), we see that it is far more than an ethical system or a moral list of dos and don'ts. Instead it functions as the sacred marriage covenant between God and His people.
Read...   Print...

 

Fundamentals of Faith

The Sages of Israel taught that the Torah contains 613 commandments. Yet, according to the Talmud, all 613 can be reduced to one, simple summary. "Habakkuk came and based all 613 on one principle, as it is written, 'But the righteous shall live by faith.'" (b.Makkot 24a quoting Habakkuk 2:4)
Read...   Print...

 

The Special Treasure

Tags:  covenant, holy people, marriage, Mount Sinai, segulah, Sinai, special people, special treasure, treasure, wedding

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9)
Read...   Print...

 

Remember the Sabbath

Tags:  Mount Sinai

If the covenant ceremony at Mount Sinai can be compared to a wedding, then the Sabbath can be compared to a wonderful wedding gift. Wrapped up in blessing and holiness, it is a gift that continues to radiate the love of God every week.
Read...   Print...

 

The Signs of Pentecost

Tags:  Mount Sinai

“‘Is not my word like fire,’ declares the LORD, ‘and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?’” (Jeremiah 23:29). The School of Rabbi Yishmael taught that the verse “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces,” means that just as a hammer is divided into many sparks, so too every single word that went forth from the Holy One, blessed be He, [at Sinai] split up into [all] languages.” (Talmud, b.Shabbat 88b)
Read...   Print...

 

Friend of the Bridegroom

Tags:  Mount Sinai

At Mount Sinai, God officially proposes to Israel, offering to make them His people if only they will obey Him and keep His covenant. It is like a proposal of marriage. In rabbinic literature, Exodus 19 is often spoken of as the betrothal. God is compared to the suitor and bridegroom. Israel is the bride. The Torah is their ketubah. Moses, in his role as liaison between God and the people, is sometimes described as the “friend of the bridegroom.”
Read...   Print...