B'Shalach - January 25, 2024

This evening we discuss the origin of Tu B'Shvat, and the lesson we learn from how Maaser (tithing) is designated, and why even fresh fruits and vegetables in Israel require Kosher supervision. We present the sources and reasoning of Rabbi Shlomo Yosef Zevin on why Moshe's army against Amalek, and every subsequent Jewish army in Jewish history never had an exemption for full-time Torah study, and why such a position today is not in accord with either Jewish history, Jewish values, or Jewish law. And we share Chatam Sofer's parable of the perfect horse sculpture, and what the stupendous miracle of the splitting of the Red Sea teaches us about "just another ordinary miracle today," best expressed by Mary Oliver in her magnificent poem, "Sometimes." Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill University Faculty of Law. ADATH is a modern orthodox synagogue community in suburban Montreal, providing Judaism for the next generation. We take great pleasure in welcoming everyone with a warm smile, while sharing inspiration through prayer, study, and friendship. Rabbi Whitman shares his thoughts and inspirations through online lectures and shiurim, which are available on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5FLcsC6xz5TmkirT1qObkA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adathmichael/ Podcast - Mining the Riches of the Parsha: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/mining-the-riches-of-the-parsha/id1479615142?fbclid=IwAR1c6YygRR6pvAKFvEmMGCcs0Y6hpmK8tXzPinbum8drqw2zLIo7c9SR-jc Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3hWYhCG5GR8zygw4ZNsSmO Please contact Rabbi Whitman (rabbi@adath.ca) with any questions or feedback, or to receive a daily email, "Study with Rabbi Whitman Today," with current and past insights for that day, video, and audio, all in one short email sent directly to your inbox.