Category Archives: Al Reguel Ajat English

“It is customary to blame secular science and anti-religious philosophy for the eclipse of religion in modern society. It would be more honest to blame religion for its own defeats. Religion declined not because it was refuted, but because it … Seguir leyendo →

Reform Judaism was founded in Germany in the early 19th century, as a result of the Emancipation that brought Jews out of the ghetto and gave them equal rights. The first Reform synagogue was founded in Seesen, Germany, in 1810, … Seguir leyendo →

The rabbis’ great achievement after the destruction of the Second Temple (70 CE) and the failed Bar Kokhva rebellion (132 CE) was to adapt Judaism so that it was no longer tied to the Temple and now based its existence … Seguir leyendo →

Reconstructionist Judaism is a modern religious movement based on the ideas developed by Mordechai Kaplan (1881-1983). Its beginnings date back to 1922, when Kaplan founded the Society for the Advancement of Judaism, a synagogue in New York City where he … Seguir leyendo →

No one questions that the Seder is the central ritual of the Passover holiday. It is written in Exodus 13:8: “Thus you shall recount to your son on that day, because of what the Lord did for me when I … Seguir leyendo →

King David is credited with establishing the first Hebrew orchestra and choir. Most of the musicians and singers were from the tribe of Levi. It is recorded in Chronicles 1:15 that David asked the Levites to appoint singers from among … Seguir leyendo →

The Shield of David, or Magen David in Hebrew, is a six-pointed star formed by two equilateral triangles with the same center and facing opposite each other, forming a hexagon inside. This figure has been used as an ornament and … Seguir leyendo →

The beginning of a new month, Rosh Chodesh in Hebrew, was determined in ancient times by observation. The beginning of a new month was marked by the appearance of the new moon or crescent moon. Observers would report their sighting … Seguir leyendo →

Donniel Hartman, in his book, “Putting God Second: How to Save Religion from Itself,” tells the story of a famous Hasidic master who, walking down a street, heard the cry of a baby coming from the home of one of … Seguir leyendo →

The Midrash is a method of interpreting biblical stories that goes beyond their simple meaning. It fills in the gaps in the biblical narrative that are only hinted at in relation to an event. The purpose is to understand difficult … Seguir leyendo →