Lep’er n. One suffering from leprosy; outcast. (Webster’s Dictionary) Webster has it right. Indeed, as the Torah tells us, a leper is both one who is suffering from leprosy and an outcast. Unique among […]
Parshas Tazria/Metzorah – Sensitivity for the Suffering Sinner Read More »
Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me.” Rarely is a slogan so well known, yet so profoundly untrue. As recent tragic cases of bullying
Parshas Behar – Sticks ‘n Stones Read More »
What is the most difficult mitzvah in the Torah? Fasting on Yom Kippur? No Oreos for eight days on Passover? No texting for 25 hours on Shabbos? Surprisingly, some commentaries say that
Parshas Emor – Don’t Worry, Be Happy Read More »
Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz recently penned an open “letter to Hashem (G-d)”, asking why we pray for a third Temple that will include animal sacrifice. I will be bold enough to assume
“What should a person do to live? He should kill himself! And what should a person do to die? He should enliven himself!” This enigmatic Talmudic passage begs for interpretation.
Parshas Vayikra – The Little Aleph That Could Read More »
“Hey, what’s up? How ya doin’? How’s life?” “Nothing major, you know, same old stuff, different day. Can’t wait until summer to get away for a few days.” Does the
Parshas Titzaveh & Tzav – To Life, To Life, L’Chaim 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 »
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 »