Parshas Shelach 5784
The Jewish people had been camped at Mount Sinai since the 1st of Sivan. Almost a full year later, on the 20th of Iyar, ten days short of the anniversary of their arrival at Mount Sinai, the special cloud that…
Behaalotcha 5784
This week’s Torah reading begins with Hashem instructing Aharon, the High Priest, on how to light the Menorah as part of the daily Tabernacle service. When lighting the Menorah, Aharon had to position both the three wicks on the right…
Shavuos 5784
The sight of a bride and groom standing under the marriage canopy always moves us to feelings of hope and success for the new couple. We look on with anticipation for the special moment when the groom places the ring…
Parshas Bechukotai 5784
In Parshat Bechukotai, Hashem promises the Jewish people a list of eleven blessings comprising every possible benefit in the world: The rains will fall in their proper times The land will give its produce and the trees will yield their…
Parshat Behar 5784
The mitzvah to count the Omer (namely, to count the 49 days between Pesach and Shavuot) was in last week’s portion, Emor. These seven weeks of preparation lead us to the great day of Shavuot when we will receive the…
Parshas Emor 5784
This week’s portion Emor contains the five mitzvot relating to the קרבן העומר - the Omer Sacrifice. The first mitzvah is to bring an omer of barley (omer is the name of a unit measurement equal to, according…
Parshas Kedoshim 5784
The Talmud (Brachot 6a) reveals a stunning idea: אמר רבי אבין בר רב אדא אמר רבי יצחק: מנין שהקדוש ברוך הוא מניח תפילין? שנאמר נשבע ה' בימינו ובזרוע עוזו בימינו זו תורה שנאמר מימינו אש דת למו ובזרוע עזו אלו…
Pesach II 5784
Pesach II תשפד The Pesach holiday which commemorates the release of the Jewish nation from 210 years of slavery in Egypt is celebrated in the month of Nissan. Nevertheless, we are commanded to remember the Exodus from Egypt twice…
Pesach 5784
This year, especially, as we approach the holiday of Pesach, we may feel like the Jews in Egypt did before Hashem redeemed them. It seems as if the world is caving in around us. Antisemitism is rapidly accelerating as…
Let’s Go on a Diet Together
Parshas Shmini 5784
Alfonso Hernandez is a farmer who grows infected cacti on the Canary Islands (Pop Quiz! Where in the world are the Canary Islands?) While cactus plants are generally considered a nuisance, and plant infections don’t rank high on Top 10…