Isaiah 7:14


Myth Busting the Virgin Birth

Myth Busting the Virgin Birth

Myth Busting the Virgin Birth This week’s Torah portion Ki Teitzei (Deuteronomy 21:10–25:19), describes a marriage when a husband suspects his wife of infidelity and claims she was not a virgin. The Hebrew word for virgin is “betulah” and refers to a woman of any age “who was never intimate with a man” (Genesis 19:8). Therefore, the Torah describes hymenal bleeding as “evidence of her virginity” (Deuteronomy 22:20). Similarly, God wants us to demonstrate our spiritual fidelity with unfalterin


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


Zalman Kravitz

Zalman Kravitz

The Virgin Birth Myth

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


Zalman Kravitz

Zalman Kravitz

How To Ensure A Meaningful Legacy

How To Ensure A Meaningful Legacy

How To Ensure A Meaningful Legacy Aging is associated with changes in physiology, wisdom, and spiritual growth. As we age, we also think about our mortality and the legacy we will leave behind. In this week’s Torah portion Chayei Sarah (Genesis 23:1–25:18), Avraham has aged, and he realizes it is time to ensure his legacy. He entrusts Eliezer, the most faithful member of his household, to find an upstanding bride for his son Yitzchak. The Torah recounts how Eliezer meets Rivkah and witnesses


Zalman Kravitz

Zalman Kravitz

Refuting the Virgin Birth

Refuting the Virgin Birth

Refuting the “Virgin Birth” Growing old has its pros and cons. As we age, we mature and gain wisdom. However, on the flip side, we are confronted with our mortality and the legacy we will leave behind. In this week’s Torah portion, Chayei Sarah (Genesis 23:1–25:18), Sarah passes away, and an aged Abraham is near the end of his life. Faced with this reality, Abraham takes steps to ensure his legacy. He instructs Eliezer, the most faithful member of his household, to find an upstanding bride for


Zalman Kravitz

Zalman Kravitz