Zalman Kravitz

Who Sent the Wagons to Jacob?

Who Sent the Wagons to Jacob?

Who Sent the Wagons to Jacob? In this week’s Torah portion, Vayigash (Genesis 44:18-47:27), we read of Joseph’s descent to Egypt and his rise to leadership, we read that during the famine wagons full of supplies were sent to Jacob in the land of Canaan. The issue of who sent the wagons to Jacob is especially relevant since the Torah tells us that when Yaacov “saw the wagons Joseph sent, his spirit was revived" (Genesis 45:27). Our sages explain that when Jacob saw these wagons, he took this a
Genesis 45:21 Yayigash
Zalman Kravitz

Zalman Kravitz
Sacrifices, Salt and Spirituality

Sacrifices, Salt and Spirituality

This Shabbat Jews throughout the world Jews read the opening chapters of the book of Leviticus known as the Torah portion of Yayikra. These chapters discuss the commandment to bring both animal and grain sacrifices, for a variety of reasons, of which only one was for unintentional sins. We are also instructed to accompany each offering with salt (Leviticus 2:13). At the same time, the Torah commands us to avoid cruelty to animals. In Genesis 9:4, we are forbidden from eating flesh torn from a
Torah portion Yayikra salt
Zalman Kravitz

Zalman Kravitz
Purim, Sacrifices and Salvation

Purim, Sacrifices and Salvation

I remember an encounter with a missionary who tried to share the gospel with me.  It was 1972, and I was a student at the University of Texas in Austin.  One of my friends turned out to be an evangelical Christian. I discovered this when he told me, “there is no forgiveness of sin without the shedding of blood, and since there is no longer a Temple to offer sacrifices I would need to accept Jesus to be saved.” I grew up in a traditional kosher Jewish home and attended a modern orthodox synagog
Purim and portion Tzav Leviticus 17:11
Zalman Kravitz

Zalman Kravitz
Kosher Taught me Self-Control, Humility, and Spirituality

Kosher Taught me Self-Control, Humility, and Spirituality

In this Shabbat’s Torah portion of Shemini (Leviticus 9:1–11:47), God introduces the laws of Kosher and identifies which animals are permissible and forbidden for consumption. Land animals must have split hooves and chew their cud, and fish must have fins and scales. Insects, reptiles, amphibians, and worms are forbidden except for four types of locusts. Birds are permissible except for 24 non-Kosher species listed in this Torah portion. These rules may seem outdated and difficult to observe;
Self-Control Torah portion of Shemini
Zalman Kravitz

Zalman Kravitz
The Miraculous Birth

The Miraculous Birth

As a parent and grandparent, I see the birth of a child as miraculous. In fact, the doctors gave one of my children a zero percent chance of surviving a pre-mature cesarean delivery. After intense prayer, he survived, and the staff of the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit referred to him as the “miracle baby.” Today he has children of his own. Our sages say there are three partners in the creation of a child, the mother, the father and God - who gives the soul (Niddah 31a). This week’s
Torah portion Tazria Isaiah 7:14
Zalman Kravitz

Zalman Kravitz
Finding Spirituality in An Empty Glass

Finding Spirituality in An Empty Glass

We will soon celebrate Passover and commemorate the redemption of the Jewish people from ancient Egyptian slavery. This was actual backbreaking toil that also broke the spirit of the Jewish people. When it became too much to endure, they cried out to God, and their prayers were answered. The Jewish people’s redemption led to nationhood and a homeland, the land of Israel. The message of Passover is part of our collective conscience and one of the most celebrated holidays in Judaism. The holiday
ego humility
Zalman Kravitz

Zalman Kravitz
Passover and the Traitorous Translation

Passover and the Traitorous Translation

This Friday evening, the holiday of Passover begins with families across the globe gathering for the reading of the Haggadah and the eating of traditional Passover foods. Haggadah means “telling” in Hebrew and is a written guide to the “Seder” (order) of the retelling of the redemption of the Jewish people from ancient Egyptian slavery. This collection of stories, rituals, and blessings enable us to re-experience and appreciate the exodus from Egypt and the redemption. Although the highlight o
Passove 70
Zalman Kravitz

Zalman Kravitz
Passover’s Messianic Mystery

Passover’s Messianic Mystery

The moment the Jewish people started to leave Egypt was monumental because they were transformed instantaneously from slaves to free men. Although the Exodus began on the first day, it was not complete until the seventh day when the Jews crossed the Red Sea and were out of danger. There is a famous saying, “it is easier to take the Jews out of Egypt than to take the Egypt out of the Jews.” This statement is referring to the process of removing a mentality of slavery and self-imposed limitation
Ezekiel 37 messiah
Zalman Kravitz

Zalman Kravitz