Daily Bread — Sunday, August 18, 2024
Asher is most blessed of sons; let him be favored by his brothers, and let him dip his foot in oil. (Deuteronomy 33:24) When Asher, whose name means “happy,” was born Leah said she was very fortunate to have been blessed with another son (Gen. 30:13). That is why she...
13 Av — Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark
If you’re like me, the troubling news in this present world leads you to conclude that we are in the midst of great spiritual darkness. There is a darkness descending upon the earth, so dense, that can almost be felt. There is no doubt that we are living in perilous...
Daily Bread — Saturday, August 17, 2024
O Naphtali, satisfied with favor, and full of the blessing of the Lord; possess the west and the south. (Deuteronomy 33:23) The land that was allotted for the tribe of Naphtali was some of the richest and most fertile land in all of Israel. In fact, Naphtali's...
12 Av — Breaking Down the Walls of Division
It was on this day, in 1263, that a famous discussion occurred between the noted Rabbi Maimonides and a Jew who had converted to Christianity by the name of Pablo Christiani. Christiani had taken it upon himself to challenge Judaism and its views on writings other...
Daily Bread — Friday, August 16, 2024
Dan is a lion’s whelp; he shall leap from Bashan. (Deuteronomy 33:22) The name Dan means "to judge," and so very often, the tribe of Dan is represented on banners with a scale symbolizing justice. When Jacob blessed and prophesied of this tribe, he referred to Dan as...
11 Av — Fight For The Promise
It was on this day, in 1948, that Arab forces blew up a pumping station that supplied water to the city of Jerusalem. This occurred just months after the state of Israel had become a reality. By cutting off Jerusalem’s water supply, the enemies of Israel tried to...
Daily Bread — Thursday, August 15, 2024
Blessed is he who enlarges Gad; he dwells as a lion, and tears the arm and the crown of his head. He provided the first part for himself, because a lawgiver’s portion was reserved there. He came with the heads of the people; he administered the justice of the Lord,...
10 Av — The Sons of Issachar
According to tradition, it was on this day that the son of Jacob, Issachar, was born. One of the most notable verses about Issachar and the sons of Issachar is found in 1 Chronicles 12: “And of the children of Issachar which were men that had understanding of the...
Daily Bread — Wednesday, August 14, 2024
Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going out, and Issachar in your tents! They shall call the peoples to the mountain; there they shall offer sacrifices of righteousness for they shall partake of the abundance of the seas and of treasures hidden in the sand. (Deuteronomy...
9 Av — We Are Well Able
It was on this day that the scouts returned with their evil report. Ten of twelve notable men were convinced that the conquest of Canaan was impossible; only Joshua and Caleb were ready to go into the land. Upon hearing the report, the Exodus generation, responded...
Daily Bread — Tuesday, August 13, 2024
Let the blessing come on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him who was separate from his brothers. (Deuteronomy 33:16) With this statement, Moses actually quotes what Jacob had said of Joseph just before he died. If he repeats Jacob, it merits our...
8 Av — Brother Against Brother
It was on this day in the year 66 that civil war broke out in Jerusalem between activists and the so-called “Peace Party” - those who wanted to sue for peace with the Romans - demonstrating that, when judgment comes, it isn’t necessarily administered by an external...