The second paragraph of the Shema states in no uncertain terms that reward will come if we follow the Mitzvot and punishment if we disobey the commandments. Does this not impose on our free will? It seems similar to the midrashic mountain that G-d held over our heads at Sinai? Looking forward to your response, Adam

B"H I was helping one of my tutoring students with some homework and one of the questions was what do Hevron and Tzfat have to do with Asara B'Tevet. I tried finding this out but couldn't. Do any of you all know the answer to this? Debbie

B"H I was helping one of my tutoring students with some homework and one of the questions was what do Hevron and Tzfat have to do with Asara B'Tevet. I tried finding this out but couldn't. Do any of you all know the answer to this? Debbie

Please forgive my ignorance on the subject. I am interested in learning about the courses of the Levitcal priesthood. Each family performed their duty in the tabernacle, as I understand it, after the 24 courses. Each family performed their duties one week per course. All the priests would perform thier duties on holy feast days (three times a year, correct?) That would leave each family with two weeks out of the year for a total of five weeks. My question is, how would the courses be divided up in the month Adar? (the thirteenth month). After that, would the courses start with the same family on the Jewish New Year? Or would the thirteenth month make a different course occur?

Why is the world so against Israel and so pro-Palestinian? Why do they equate suicide bombers actions against civilians with Israels retalitory actions? Why doesn't Israel counter the lies espoused by the arab countries in the media? Why is the nws media against terrorism except when it comes to the Palestinian terrorists? Why doesn't the US Jewish population "see" the threat to Israel's existence?