A Day in the Life

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the L-rd...
for he shall be as a tree planted by the waters..."
(Jeremiah 17:8)

Tu B'Shvat
Shvat 15, 5766/February 13, 2006

This week's edition of Israel National Radio's Temple Talk: Tu B'Shvat, (the 15th day of Shvat), is the new year for trees. The tithing of fruit to be brought to the Holy Temple was calculated from this day. And on this day a rush of rejuvenating spiritual nourishment courses through both tree and man, if only we seek out Hashem and tap our roots into the holy waters of His Torah. On this week's Temple Talk Rabbi Chaim Richman and Yitzchak Reuven celebrate Tu B'Shvat and discuss its implications for the Jewish people and all humanity: the hope that our prayers will bear fruit.

More on the secret of the manna: how, by accepting the spiritual nourishment that G-d provides, He will see to it that our physical needs are readily attainable.

Who, or what, is Amalek? How does this bitter enemy of both the G-d of Israel and the Israelite nation feed on our own inner doubts? When cracks form in our bond with G-d and with our fellow man, this destructive weed called Amalek springs forth to wreak havoc upon us. The bitter fight to the finish we are commanded to wage against this most pernicious of enemies.

This week's Torah reading, the portion of Yitro, (Exodus 18:1). Who was Yitro, and why did this former master of idolatry merit that the section in which the Torah is received at Mount Sinai, be called after his name? Rabbi Richman discusses synesthesia , the mixing of the senses. How was is that all who stood at the foot of Mount Sinai, ("And all the people saw the thunder and the lightning, and the voice of the shofar... " Exodus 20:15), perceived sound with their eyes? When we cling to G-d and make our will His will, the rules that hold us back, (our five senses for example), no longer apply. What is the relationship of the Ten Commandments to the entirety of Torah? How were both the Written Torah and the Oral Torah received at Sinai by Moshe Rabbeinu - Moses our teacher?

Introducing our newest online study feature: A Day in the Life of The Holy Temple. Three times a year the entire nation of Israel gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the pilgrimage festivals of Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot. Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur were likewise observed with special rituals and offerings in The Holy Temple. But what took place within the Temple Gates the remaining days of the year? How exactly was the Tamid, (continual), offering conducted each day of the week? How were the Priests organized and what were their special tasks? What was the role of the Levites? Join us in this premier viewing of A Day in the Life of The Holy Temple, on this week's Temple Talk.

A Day in the Life of The Holy Temple, featuring over 80 pages of text and illustrations, can also be accessed via our Study Tools page.

May all our endeavors be worthy of bearing fruit,

Yitzchak Reuven

THE TEMPLE INSTITUTE
PO Box 31876
Jerusalem, Israel 97500