Zalman Kravitz - Jews for Judaism (Page 8)

How to Fix our Broken World

Of all the books of the Torah, Deuteronomy is considered by many to be the most spiritual. In the coming weeks, we will encounter passages which explain the true nature of God’s absolute oneness. Other verses will explain how finite beings can achieve a personal relationship with our infinite creator. However, this week’s Torah portion (Deuteronomy 1:1–3:22, focuses on something very different. Rather than launching into spiritual motifs, the beginning of the fifth book of the Torah recounts m

Torah portion Deuteronomy Tikkun Olam

Zalman Kravitz

Jun 4, 2025 — 1 min read

The Sixties and My Path to Jewish Enlightenment

Growing up in the Sixties, everyone seemed to be searching for answers. Peace and spiritual enlightenment were the rallying calls. It took me some time, but I finally found both. Although my family has roots that go back to one of the first students of the Baal Shem Tov, I was raised traditional but not Hassidic. In 1973, I encountered the first Chassidic Jew with whom I was able to have meaningful philosophical discussions. I was impressed with his knowledge, sincerity, and passion for servin

Torah portion Va’etchanan enlightenment. Deuteronomy 4:35

Zalman Kravitz

Jun 4, 2025 — 2 min read

The God You Don’t Believe In - I Also Don’t Believe In

An atheist approached a great Chassidic rabbi and said, “I can’t believe in a God who is harsh and judgmental and spends His time in heaven handing out punishments.” The rabbi responded, “the same God you don’t believe in I also don’t believe in.” I was reminded of this story when I was studying this week’s Torah portion, Eikev (Deuteronomy 7:12–11:25). If God were merely angry and punitive, the Jewish people would have been condemned to remain in the Sinai desert because of their deeds. They

Torah portion Eikev Love. compassion

Zalman Kravitz

Jun 4, 2025 — 1 min read

What I Learned from a Kosher Deli Sandwich

In 1921 my grandfather (see photo) opened a deli in Philadelphia. So naturally, I appreciate a good deli sandwich. I didn’t know that originally, humanity was not allowed to eat animals. Later in the Torah God permitted eating meat only if specific guidelines were followed. These guidelines are intended to spiritually elevate the material world and enhance our respect for the sanctity of life. For example, only specific domesticated animals were permitted for consumption when ritually slaughte

Torah portion Re’eh forgivness

Zalman Kravitz

Jun 4, 2025 — 2 min read

The Virgin Birth Myth

The approaching High Holidays are an opportunity to rejuvenate our spiritual connection with the Almighty. A high point in this process is singing the Avenu Malkanu prayer and proclaiming that God is our Father and King, and we are God’s children and servants. This hymn reflects the verse, “to Me the children of Israel are servants” (Leviticus 25:55). The Torah describes our relationship with God in many other ways, including a husband and wife. As is says, “your Maker is your husband” (Isaia

Torah portion Ki Teitzei Isaiah 7:14

Zalman Kravitz

Jun 4, 2025 — 2 min read

Can we Experience a Godly Revelation?

Have you ever experienced a Godly revelation? I have. Maybe you have too and didn’t realize it. Isaiah identifies who will experience a Godly revelation when he prophetically and rhetorically asked, “to whom has the arm of God been revealed?” (Isaiah 53:1). To understand this verse and its spiritual lesson, we must examine the context and meaning of the term “arm of God.” In this week’s Torah portion Ki Tavo (Deuteronomy 26:1–29:8), we are reminded that the Jewish people cried out to God con

Torah portion Ki Tavo revelation

Zalman Kravitz

Jun 4, 2025 — 2 min read

Missionary Impossible on Rosh Hashanah

It hurts to hear people say it is too difficult to be Jewish. Some missionaries go so far as to claim that it is “impossible” to keep the Torah. My experience and the experience of generations before me is that the Torah is a precious gift with ancient wisdom that transcends time and circumstance. In this week’s Torah portion of Nitzavim (Deuteronomy 29:9–30:20), there is a passage which puts Judaism’s detractors in their place. God declares that the commands of the Torah are not out of reac

Torah portion Nitzavim Rosh Hashana

Zalman Kravitz

Jun 4, 2025 — 1 min read

Yom Kippur and the Irrefutable Refutation

This Shabbat is called Shabbat Shuvah (Shabbat of Return) because it falls between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur and contains extraordinary spiritual energy to reconnect to God In this week’s portion of Vayelech (Deuteronomy 31:1–30), we learn that despite God’s displeasure with the Jewish people, the Torah “will not be forgotten from the mouth of their offspring” (Deuteronomy 31:21). This proclamation reiterates God’s promise, “I will not reject them… or break my covenant with them” (Leviticus

Torah portion Vayelech Hoshea 14:2

Zalman Kravitz

Jun 4, 2025 — 1 min read