My computer died...no podcast this week! Sorry!

So sorry...I had to replace my computer and I don't have the new one optimized for podcasts yet..so I will be back with Bereshit on October 17.  

Ki Tavo 5771: Blessings, Thanksgiving and New Beginnings

Please see the photos at http://www.pressconnects.com/ for the devastation suffered by thousands of residents of the Binghtamton Southern Tier area.  Fortunately our farm was well outside of the flooded area.  However, many of our neighbors suffered lots of damage to their farms from the waters as well as from oil tanks that leaked etc.  There are many relief projects going on in the area.  Please consider giving to: Hay for Holly (see the facebook page).  It is a group of people helping raise money to feed the alpaca and sheep this winter for our neighbors Holly and Todd whose farm was flooded and then contaminated by leaky oil tanks and other debris that fell into their land during the flood.  

For more information on tithing or the "maasar" in the Bible see:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maaser_Rishon, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maaser_Sheni.  An interesting view on tithing can be found here:  http://www.pidyon.com/latest-writings/halacha/10-maaser/48-computing-maaser-how-much-tzedakah-charity-do-i-owe.html. 

Ki Tetzei 5771: The Little Things Matter

For a definition and description of Talmud please click on this link:  Talmud..  Information on the Levirate Marriage laws can be found here. Levirate Marriage.  Definition and further explanation of Mamzer, the "unsuitable" can be found here:  Mamzer.

From these few verses in this weeks parasha, hundreds upon hundreds of pages of rules and regulations have evolved.

Sending out blessings and prayers to those commemorating the loss of loved ones on 9/11/2011 as we all mourn those who have died since then as a result of the terror unleashed on that day.