Parshas Tzav 5784
Parshat Tzav תשפ"ד This week’s portion, Tzav, details the different types of animal or grain sacrifices that one may need to bring. A sacrifice is called a קרבן (korban), the root of which isקרב - which means to bring close.…
The Boy with the Oversized Head
Parshas Vayikra and Purim 5784
It was clear that Paul Bryant was different the moment he was born. He did look a bit strange, his head seemed almost bigger than his body, but all babies are born looking a little strange, so his parents weren’t…
Purim 5784
Purim תשפ"ד מגילת אסתר (Megilat Esther), The Book of Esther, chronicles the series of events leading up to Haman’s death decree for every Jewish man, woman, and child, and the dramatic, unprecedented turn of events, which brought about their salvation…
The Coffee Devil
The information presented below is based on an article by Jordan Weissman in The Atlantic magazine, which appeared on Dec 27, 2013. I had my first whole cup of coffee at the age of ten. Oh, how I savored that…
Parshas Pekudei 5784
Parshat Pekudei תשפ"ד This week’s portion begins by telling us (Exodus 38:21) that Moshe gave a reckoning of all the gold, silver, and brass that was used in the Mishkan’s (Tabernacle) construction. (כא) אֵלֶּה פְקוּדֵי הַמִּשְׁכָּן מִשְׁכַּן הָעֵדֻת אֲשֶׁר…
The Smallest Superhero
Parshas Vayakhel 5784
Call me Nano-Man. I am the future. I laugh silently at the geek in front of me as he pulls a 5 pound laptop out of his carry-on, and places it its own basket in the security line at the…
Parshas Vayakhel 5784
Parshat Vayakhel תשפ"ד Parshat ויקהל - Vayakhel describes in detail how the artisan Betzalel and his helpers executed each of the instructions of how to build the Mishkan (the Tabernacle) and its components. Divinely conceived, it is reasonable to assume…
Being a Motorcycle Man
Parshas Ki Sisa 5784
When I was about seven years old, I wanted to be a motorcycle-man. This was way before I would dream of becoming a basketball star, a pro-snowboarder, or a brilliant mathematician (O.K. so that last one never really happened). At the…