Imagine doing a strenuous workout outside on a ninety-degree summer day. The workout is tough — but you do it. You feel good. Invigorated. You go inside your house and […]
Parshas Chukas – The Living Years Read More »
Immediately following its opening sentences, the Shema contains the following powerful verse: “And you shall love the L-rd, your G-d, with all your heart, all your soul, and all your resources” (Deuteronomy
Parshas Ve’eschanan – Saying “I Love” and Meaning It Read More »
Knaidel. K-N-A-I-D-E-L. Knaidel. By correctly spelling this Jewish culinary delight, an Indian-American boy won the 2013 Scripps National Spelling Bee, beating hundreds of other contestants. Jewish bubbies worldwide were kvelling.
Parshas Korach – A Kneydl and a Kvetch Read More »
Moshe (Moses) would have never been elected president. Not only that, he never would have never even gotten a job as a rabbi – he wouldn’t have made it past
Parshas Shmos – The Faithful Shepherd Read More »
I hate bar mitzvahs. There, I said it. I know it sounds like a strange thing for a Rabbi to say, but I can’t help it. Despite the many meaningful bar mitzvahs
Parshas Vayishlach – Bar Mitzvah Blues Read More »
It’s that time of the year again. Shofars are blowing, apples are dipping, briskets are cooking, and honey is sticking. But, most importantly, G-d Himself is calling. With apologies to
Parshas Nitzavim/Vayelech – The Most Wonderful Time of Year Read More »
A fancy house, a cool car, an exciting vacation, pleasurable intimacy, designer clothes, the best doctors and hospitals, power, information, and popularity. Think about it: How much time, money, and effort
Parshas Kedoshim – Pious Pleasures Read More »
There is nothing more “treif” (non-kosher) than a pig. In this week’s Torah portion, we are introduced to the Pig, the animal that has always represented the prototype of impurity, the quintessential
Parshas Shemini – Pure Pork Read More »
How can you know who someone really is? In what way can we get real insight into the strength of one’s character? Using a pithy alliteration, the Talmud gives us some advice
Parshas Terumah – The Character of a Man Read More »
Give me your tired, your poor,Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.(“The New Colossus” by Emma Lazarus, mounted on the Statue of Liberty). We all yearn to breathe free, to
Parshas Acharie Mos – Let Freedom Ring Read More »