Zalman Kravitz - Jews for Judaism (Page 6)

Discover a Personal Relationship with God

In this week’s Torah portion of Acharei, chapter 16 of Leviticus describes the Yom Kippur service. Yom Kippur was an extraordinary opportunity to discover a deep personal relationship with God. Yom Kippur was the only day the Kohen Gadol (high priest) would enter the innermost chamber of the Temple know as the Holy of Holies. The revelation of God’s presence in the Holy of Holies was so intense our sages explain that a miracle took place and the Ark of the Covenant transcended the limitations o

Torah portion of Achare shedding of blood

Zalman Kravitz

Jun 4, 2025 — 2 min read

Awakening Your Eternal Relationship with God

One of the most spiritual statements in Judaism is in this week’s Torah portion, Kedoshim. With the words, “Be holy, because I, the Lord your God, am holy” (Leviticus 19:2), we are instructed to emulate God by rising above our animal and material desires and connect to the spiritual. How do we accomplish this? In Leviticus 20:7-21, we are told that one of the most important ways to be holy is to sanctify ourselves by controlling our most base animal instinct, an indiscriminate and uncontrolled

Torah portion Kedoshim Hebrews 8:9

Zalman Kravitz

Jun 4, 2025 — 2 min read

Does Judaism Require Priests to Be Celibate?

When I was young, I always associated the title “priest” with Catholic priests who were forbidden to marry. This surprised me because the Torah teaches that a Kohen, Jewish priest, may marry, and the Kohen Gadol, high priest, must be married to serve on Yom Kippur. Depending on their status, there are some restrictions to whom a Kohen may marry. For example, a regular kohen may not marry a woman who was a prostitute, and the Kohen Gadol must marry a virgin. The marriage requirements for Kohani

Emor Celibate

Zalman Kravitz

Jun 4, 2025 — 1 min read

The Day I was Accosted by a Messianic Leader

One summer, my colleague Rabbi Michael Skobac joined me in visiting a messianic conference in New Mexico. Our hope was to dialogue with willing Jews who had accepted Christianity, One encounter stands out in my mind. During a cordial conversation with someone I already knew, one of the leaders of the conference approached us. Upon hearing my name, he became agitated and accosted me with an accusation. “Rabbi Kravitz. You are merely a rabbinic Jew. We are biblical Jews.” He meant that I am fol

messianic jew

Zalman Kravitz

Jun 4, 2025 — 2 min read

Idolatry and the Reward for Humility

The prophet Isaiah says that self-indulging individuals can arrogantly conclude that nothing exists except themselves. These individuals proclaim, “I am, and there is nothing besides me” (Isaiah 47:8). This is also the root cause of disrespect towards others and the downfall of many civilizations. The Torah repeatedly warns the Jewish people to avoid the trap of self-glorification. Our sages compare it to idolatry and point to Pharaoh as someone who made similar claims to portray himself as

weekly parsha Beshalach

Zalman Kravitz

Jun 4, 2025 — 1 min read

How to Experience the Greatest Freedom

In this week’s Torah portion of Behar (Leviticus 25:1-26:2) we are instructed to count seven Sabbatical years (7x7=49) and proclaim and sanctify the 50thyear. During this jubilee year, all slaves (indentured servants) are freed, the land reverts to its original owner, and agricultural restrictions allow the soil to rest. This portion also includes a directive to conduct business ethically, a prohibition against idolatry and concludes with a command to keep the Sabbath. What do these diverse co

Torah portion Behar light

Zalman Kravitz

Jun 4, 2025 — 2 min read

Jeremiah's New Covenant - Is There a Conspiracy to Hide the Truth?

Jeremiah's New Covenant - Is There a Conspiracy to Hide the Truth? Growing up, I had to learn like most people that there are consequences for our actions. If you treat someone nicely, they will respond in kind. If you are mean to someone, they will avoid you. This week Torah portion Bechukotai (Leviticus 26:3-27:34) speaks about consequences. In this case, God outlines the exile, persecution, and other evils that will befall the Jewish people if they abandon their covenant with Him. As ter

Torah portion Bechukotai Conspiracy

Zalman Kravitz

Jun 4, 2025 — 2 min read

Do We Really Need a King?

I write to you this week from Israel. In this week’s Torah portion of Bamidbar, the Jewish people are commanded, while in the desert, to count a specific part of the Jewish population as they prepare for the possibility of war. This act of counting is why this portion is also referred to as “Numbers.” Why does God, who knows everything, need us to count the Jewish people? Yes, God already knows the answer, however, there are several spiritual takeaways for the Jewish people: When something is

Torah portion Numbers messiah

Zalman Kravitz

Jun 4, 2025 — 3 min read