What's Hebron Really Like? Don't Believe the Media!

Published: Tue, 05/20/25

Updated: Wed, 05/21/25

"But for their sake I will remember the covenant with their ancestors whom I brought out of Egypt in the sight of the nations to be their God. I am the Lord."

Leviticus 26:45

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Hi friend,

This coming Shabbat's Torah portion, read on Saturday, May 24th, is Parashat Behar-Bechukotai. This week’s double reading, Behar-Bechukotai, speaks about the Sabbatical and Jubilee years, laws regulating commerce and the redemption of slaves. It also contains a vivid description of the rewards for observing G‑d‘s commandments and the series of punishments that will befall us if we choose to disregard them. The Torah then discusses different types of gifts given to the Temple, and the animal tithe.

Please enjoy this teaching of our beloved Root Source teacher, Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz of blessed memory, about last week's Torah portion, Emor, and share your thoughts with us!

Last week, our popular Root Source teacher Rabbi Gedalia Meyer talked about Emor. Watch it below.

Take part in the inspiring lesson Nitzavim: “It is not in the heavens”: Can a person really change? with Teacher Dr. Benny Benjamin. Learn more below.

Check below to hear what Gidon Ariel and Richard Booker have to share.

A few weeks ago, Gidon toured Hebron with his friend Paushali Lass. Watch a short clip below.

We’re excited to share a great resource: Names in the Bible by Professor Yossef Balas—revealing meanings and pronunciations only Hebrew can unveil. If you read it and enjoy it, let us know! Learn more below!

We sign off with a nice comment and a beautiful photo of Haifa, Israel.

Shalom,

Gidon Ariel and Bob O’Dell
Root Source Founders

Parashat Behar-Bechukotai

G‑d commands Moses regarding the Sh’mitah (Sabbatical) and Jubilee years. Every seventh year is a Sabbatical year, when it is forbidden to work the land (in the Land of Israel). After seven sets of seven years a Jubilee year is proclaimed. During Jubilee years all the laws of the Sabbatical year apply, and, in addition to the Sabbatical laws, all slaves are set free and all lands revert to their original owners. We are commanded to conduct business ethically. Since all land reverts to their original owners during the Jubilee year, the amount of years remaining until the next Jubilee year must be taken into account whenever a real-estate sale is conducted, and the price should be set accordingly. The end of this aliyah enjoins us not to verbally harass or intentionally mislead our fellows.

Parashat Emor: Perfect Vessels: The Divine Requirement for Wholeness

This teaching speaks directly to our struggle with perfectionism and self-acceptance. The Torah isn’t demanding superficial flawlessness; rather, it’s inviting us to approach life with wholeness and vitality. When you feel tempted to shrink yourself in the name of humility or to present only your “acceptable” parts to God and others, remember: the most sacred vessels were made whole and beautiful. Even without the Temple, this wisdom remains relevant – God desires us to live fully, to develop our strengths, and to approach Him not as diminished versions of ourselves, but as the complete, vibrant beings He created us to be.

Learn here

Emor:
Rabbi Gedalia Meyer's Weekly Torah Study

Time. What is it made of? Where does it come from? Where does it go? Only man, it would seem, keeps track of time. The days and weeks, sabbaths and holidays are all noted in parashat Emor. And for one 49 day period we are commanded to keep scrupulous attention to the passing of the days.

Watch the video

Nitzavim: “It is not in the heavens”: Can a person really change?

This cosmic description concerns a commandment that is close and accessible and not in the heavens. But which commandment are we dealing with here? Some see this commandment as referring to the entire compendium of 613 commandments documented in the Torah. Still others see it as an allusion to the unique commandment of repentance, as elucidated in the verses preceding these. For those having strayed from observing God’s injunctions in their daily lives, the opportunity exists to “return” to the right path, the essence of repentance. While the focus of repentance in the Jewish calendar occurs during the High Holidays of the Jewish New Year and Yom Kippur, repentance remains a strategy for year-round engagement.

Learn here

Conversations:
Gidon Ariel and Richard Booker - May 12,2025

Gidon and Richard talked about the tradition of Counting the Omer, sharing how they and their spouses mark each day—whether through apps, wooden calendars, or daily Scripture readings from Psalm 119 and the Book of Acts. Their conversation moved into the Jewish roots of the New Testament, reflecting on how it was written by Jews for Jews and later embraced by Christians. They emphasized the importance of approaching this topic with humility and love, highlighting the need for gentle, respectful dialogue. The discussion also touched on the Talmud, Torah, and the meaning behind the commandments, concluding with plans to continue after Shavuot.

Watch the video

Gidon toured Hebron with his friend Paushali Lass

A few weeks ago, Gidon hosted his friend Paushali Lass for a tour of Hebron. Here is a short recording of a tiny part of that tour. If you plan on being in Israel, please reach out to Gidon, he would be delighted to meet with you and introduce you to Hebron, his home town, as well!

Watch here!

A Must-Read Recommendation from Root Source

From time to time, we here at Root Source discover a resource that we think some of our students and subscribers will appreciate, so we cannot kep ourselves from sharing! Please check out this book written by our friend Professor Yossef Balas, "Names in the Bible: Meanings and Pronunciations Lost in Translation Only Hebrew Can Unveil." If you buy it and like it, please tell us!

Learn here

Comments

We get so many comments!
Here is one from Kathy Hill, has a comment on the
Special Prayer for Nissan 15 Eclipse

"Thank you so much for the invitation to prayer. It excites me to think that God will be listening to all of us as with one accord we pray and praise Him simultaneously and attempt to touch His heart with our love. Did you see any of the pictures of the northern lights last night? It was like God was saying “PAY ATTENTION!!! I have something for you!!!!” He is amazing. Blessings."

Haifa, Israel

Enjoy this photo of Haifa, Israel by Piotr Musioł.

Blessings and Shalom,
Bob and Gidon

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