This week’s haftarah, from the book of Isaiah, reassures us that God ultimately will comfort the children of Israel from the pain of exile and the destruction which they have suffered. When referring to the Jewish people’s pain, the haftarah relies on an interesting metaphor – a cup of wine.  “Arise Jerusalem, which has drunk…

In this week’s Torah portion, Shoftim, we find two commandments about trees.  (1) Do not cut down a fruit tree even in war, and (2) Do not plant  an ashera trees near the altar. The commandment not to cut down a tree is a warning against wanton destruction which in jewish law is forbidden by…