Jeremiah 31

Awakening Your Eternal Relationship with God

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

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

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

Zalman Kravitz
Spiritual Freedom In The Blink of an Eye

Spiritual Freedom In The Blink of an Eye

Spiritual Freedom In The Blink of an Eye I recall the moment I heard the tragic news of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination. My initial reaction was disbelief — and then I cried. In the blink of an eye, I was transformed from an innocent child to someone confronted with the realities of life and death. Everyone experiences transformative moments. For some, it is the death of a parent or a friend, and for others, it is the birth of a child. These events transform us instantaneously from
Torah portion Bo Jeremiah 31
Zalman Kravitz

Zalman Kravitz
He Screamed, “You’re Not a Jew Anymore!”

He Screamed, “You’re Not a Jew Anymore!”

He Screamed, “You’re Not a Jew Anymore!” A number of years ago, I went to the Hollywood Bowl to hear violinist Itzhak Perlman. Walking from the parking lot to my seat, I heard someone nearby scream, “You’re not a Jew anymore!” I looked around and discovered the recipient of the verbal attack. It was a young woman in a “Jews for Jesus” t-shirt distributing missionary literature. Harsh comments and aggressive confrontations can be painful and counterproductive. I prefer to speak kindly and encou
Torah portion Behar-Bechukosai not a jew anymore
Zalman Kravitz

Zalman Kravitz
Our Eternal Covenant Isn’t Obsolete

Our Eternal Covenant Isn’t Obsolete

Our Eternal Covenant Isn’t Obsolete Centuries of tragic Jew-hatred is documented in The Roots of Christian Anti-Semitism by Malcolm Hay and Constantine’s Sword by James Carrol. These two books are replete with historical evidence and explore the dark and horrific role the Christian Church played in promoting anti-Semitism. Regrettably, the New Testament contains several passages that fueled Jew-hatred. The accusations that “the Jews killed Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 2: 14-15) and that the Jews ar
Jeremiah 31
Zalman Kravitz

Zalman Kravitz
Jeremiah's Eye-Opening Change of Heart

Jeremiah's Eye-Opening Change of Heart

Jeremiah's Eye-Opening Change of Heart A valuable lesson I learned growing up is that our actions  have consequences. For example, if you treat someone kindly, they will most likely be kind to you. On the other hand, if you are mean toward someone, they will avoid you and may treat you harshly. This week’s Torah portion, Bechukotai (Leviticus 26:3-27:34), begins with a description of the consequences and remarkable benefits the Jewish people will receive if they faithfully follow the commandm
Jeremiah 31
Zalman Kravitz

Zalman Kravitz