Honey

The Israelites in the Wilderness ate something called manna. It is described as a miraculous food. What did it taste like?

The ratio of 1:60 represents the threshold of an experience. The Talmud applies this concept to various experiences that people wonder about.

Therefore, if you want to "taste" manna to get an idea of what the experience of manna was like, taste some date honey. Experientially, honey is 1/60 the sweetness of manna, just the threshold of tasting it.

Talmud Brachot 57b

Click to hear Rabbi Gottlieb's cogent wisdom on this topic....

The Whole Megilla

15 Adar 5772
8-9 March 2012

The Purim story is traditionally read as yet another episode in the on-going battle with the Jewish People's great nemesis Amalek, a race or culture descended from Jacob's twin brother, Esav.

On the Shabbat before Purim we read a special Torah passage instructing us to remember Amalek, for his descendants will try to destroy us time and itme again.

The Talmud (ca. 500 CE) predicts that in the future Amalek will be found in a place called "Germamia", made up of 300 kingdoms. Beware should they unite, warns the Talmud, "for they will seek to destroy the entire world..."

Genesis 36:16; Deuteronomy 25:17-19; Talmud Megilla 6b



This More Info link takes you to the R. Shraga Simmons article on Haman and Amalek.

Reincarnation

Reincarnation is not discussed in most Jewish schools. Therefore many assume that it is not a Jewish concept. After all, it is not mentioned in the written Torah.

Nevertheless, it is discussed in many rabbinic texts and is a central idea to Jewish philosophy and spirituality.

Zohar I 186b

Article for further reading
 Book for further reading
  Awesome class by R. Gottlieb on 'evidence for the soul'