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Israel, the people, are called Jeshurun in a few places in the Torah.  One of them says, "Jeshurun grew fat and kicked" (Dt. 32:15).  Growing fat we can understand, especically when the gyms are closed.  But what did we kick--or who?  The mystery of the missing direct object--that which received the kick--has perplexed our sages for thousands of years.  Originially, some speculated that Jeshurun grew fat and kicked the bucket from obesity and hypertension.  Subsequently, however, it was pointed out that...

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This fifth cup of wine has passed down through generations of women, beginning with Sarah.  It has spilled and, yet, like the bush on fire but never consumed, the glass continues to overflow.  The Kabbalists (the Maharal, 16th c., Prague) believe that we drink 4 cups of wine in memory of our 4 matriarchs.  The fifth cup, named for Miriam who led us through the straights of Reed Sea in song and dance, is in memory of Zelophechad’s five daughters.  They...

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Sometimes I lay under the moon And thank God I'm breathin' Then I pray don't take me soon' Cause I am here for a reasonSometimes in my tears I drown But I never let it get me down So when negativity surrounds I know someday it'll all turn around becauseAll my life I been waitin' for I been prayin' for, for the people to say That we don't want to fight no more They'll be no more wars and our children...

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When you come to the land which Y-H-W-H will give you, as He has spoken, you are to keep this service!And it will be when your children ask you, "What does this service (mean) to you?"  Then say, "It is a Paschal offering to Y-H-W-H who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Mitzrayim when he struck Mitzrayim but saved our homes."

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בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָפֶן. Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam, borei p'ri hagafen. Praised are you, Adonai, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who has created the fruit of the vine.בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר בָּחַר בָּנוּ מִכָּל עָם וְרוֹמְמָנוּ מִכָּל לָשׁוֹן וְקִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו. וַתִּתֶּן לָנוּ יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ בְּאַהֲבָה מוֹעֲדִים לְשִׂמְחָה, חַגִּים וּזְמַנִּים לְשָׂשׂוֹן, אֶת יוֹם חַג הַמַצוֹת הַזֶה, זְמַן חֵרוּתֵנוּ מִקְרָא קֹדֶשׁ, זֵכֶר לִיצִיאַת מִצְרָיִם. כִּי בָנוּ בָחַרְתָּ וְאוֹתָנוּ קִדַּשְׁתָּ מִכָּל הָעַמִּים,...

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Kitniyot literally means small things.  They include rice, corn, lentils, beans and peanuts.  At soime point in the Middle Ages, Ashkenazi Jews stopped eating kitniyot during Pesach.  Conservative and Orthodox Rabbis in Israel have permitted eating kitniyot, as have some Conservative Rabbis in the United States.  Nevertheless, it remains a wide-spread custom within Ashkenazi Jewry to avoid kitniyot during Pesach.  

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Hametz is made from one of these five grains.WHEATRYESPELTOATSBARLEYMatza MUST be made from one of these five grains.  From the moment that water touches the flour made of these grains, the matza must be rolled out and baked within 18 minutes.

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Psalms Chapter 114 תְּהִלִּיםא בְּצֵאת יִשְׂרָאֵל, מִמִּצְרָיִם; בֵּית יַעֲקֹב, מֵעַם לֹעֵז. 1 When Israel came forth out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language;ב הָיְתָה יְהוּדָה לְקָדְשׁוֹ; יִשְׂרָאֵל, מַמְשְׁלוֹתָיו. 2 Judah became His sanctuary, Israel His dominion.ג הַיָּם רָאָה, וַיָּנֹס; הַיַּרְדֵּן, יִסֹּב לְאָחוֹר. 3 The sea saw it, and fled; the Jordan turned backward.ד הֶהָרִים, רָקְדוּ כְאֵילִים; גְּבָעוֹת, כִּבְנֵי-צֹאן. 4 The mountains skipped like rams, the hills like young sheep.ה מַה-לְּךָ הַיָּם, כִּי תָנוּס; הַיַּרְדֵּן, תִּסֹּב...