Parshat Matos – Masei תשפ"ג This week we conclude the book of Numbers, which chronicles the travels and events as the Jewish nation journeyed from Egypt to the edge of the promised land, Israel. Aharon and Miriam have already…
The Three Weeks תשפג This coming Thursday, July 6, we will observe the fast of the 17th of Tammuz, and, in three weeks, on Thursday, July 27th, we will observe “Tisha b’Av” the fast of the 9th day of Av.…
Parshat Chukat – Balak תשפג This week we will read two portions, Chukat and Balak. In Chukat, the Torah relates the incident for which Moshe and Aharon were punished by not being permitted to enter the promised land, Israel. …
Korach תשפ"ג This week, Moshe Rabbeinu, the humble leader who intervened successfully and who many times saved the Jewish people, even putting his own life on the line, uncharacteristically presented Hashem with an ultimatum: Either You kill Korach and his…
Parshas Shlach This week’s Torah portion’s concluding paragraph (Numbers 15:37-41) commands us to affix tzizit (“fringes”)to most four-cornered garments that men wear. The commandment is fulfilled by wearing theטלית קטן , a “small tallit,” or what we call tzizit or…
Beha'alotcha תשפ"ג On the night of the 15th of Nissan, Passover night, 3,335 years ago, the Jewish people fulfilled the mitzva of eating matza for the first time at the seder. After eating the afikomen (dessert - a piece…
Naso תשפ"ג We all know the story of Samson (Shimshon) and Delila, how she extracted from him that the secret of his strength lay in his hair. Indeed, when the Philistines cut his hair, his strength subsided and they subdued…
Shavuot תשפ"ג The president of the local JCC was once confronted by an angry board member at a meeting. This person was upset because the JCC was closed on all Jewish holidays, including Shavuot. “I understand the JCC being closed…
Bamidbar תשפ"ג This coming Shabbat we begin reading the Torah’s fourth book, Bamidbar - “Numbers,” so -called because in this book the Jewish people are counted twice. The first counting took place on the first day of Iyar, more than…
This Shabbat, we will read two portions, Behar and Bechukotai. In Parshat Bechukotai (Leviticus 26:3-13), Hashem promises the Jewish people that if they keep His commandments, they will receive many blessings and experience no hardships. The rains will fall in…