Parshas Chukas/Balak
Categorization of Mitzos In total, there are 613 mitzvot, or commandments, in the Torah. They encompass much of our daily living; from which animals can pull a plow together, to which foods we eat on varied days. We have different…
Parshas Korach 5786
Introduction This week’s parsha, Korach, details the only major attempt at challenging Moshe’s position as G-d’s chosen leader and prophet of the Jewish people. Rashi tells us that this rebellion was rooted in jealousy, as Korach felt he should have…
Sometimes, I’m a hypocrite…Parshas Shlach 5786
B”H marrying off our oldest daughter, Orah, in a week from Sunday, and we’d like to invite you to join in our simcha, which will be on June 21, 2026, at 6:30PM at the Fountain Ballroom, 725 Vassar Ave, Lakewood,…
Parshas Shelach 5786
When a Mission Stops Being a Shlichus The primary narrative of our parsha is the story of the spies. Before we delve into it in depth, here is a quick synopsis of what transpired. Moshe sent twelve distinguished men, one…
Is someone messing with your mind?
The essay at the beginning of this Shabbos email is a reprint from the Shabbos email sent exactly this Shabbos, Parshas Behaloscha, but in 2019. The message is unfortunately even more relevant today, in a time when the faith in…
Emunah – Faith as a Living Journey
Introduction We tend to think of emunah — faith, or more precisely, faithfulness: a deep, abiding trust and orientation toward G-d — as a light switch. Either it is on or it is off. Either you believe in G-d or…
Do You See That Scratch? Parshas Nasso 5768
Life isn’t easy, everyone is going to have to go through some tough stuff. But you can put pretty much put people in four baskets, based on when and how frequently they have to swim in the muck. Some people…
Parshas Nasso 5786
Parsha Overview I’d like to give a brief overview of all the topics contained in this week’s portion, and then focus in and elaborate on one of the topics. The Longest This week’s Torah portion, Parshat Nasso, is the longest…
Shavuos II 5786
Sefiras Haomer We are almost finished the Sefiras Haomer period where we count 49 days from Pesach until Shavuos. Historically, the 49 days began right after the Exodus and ended when we received the covenant of the Torah at Sinai.…