Shavuot 5783

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…

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Parshat Bamidbar 5783

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…

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Emor 5783

Emor תשפ"ג This week’s portion contains the mitzvah to “count the omer,” one we are in the midst of fulfilling. Starting from the second day of Passover, we make a blessing every night thanking Hashem for sanctifying us with His…

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Acharei Mot – Kedoshim 5783

Acharei Mot - Kedoshim תשפ"ג                 The famous, oft-quoted, verse, “Love thy neighbor as thyself,” is found in this week’s portion (Leviticus 19:18). יח) לֹא תִקֹּם וְלֹא תִטֹּר אֶת בְּנֵי עַמֶּךָ וְאָהַבְתָּ לְרֵעֲךָ כָּמוֹךָ אֲנִי יְדֹוָד 18) You shall not…

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Parshas Yisro 5783

Yitro תשפ"ג               Hashem created this world and everything in it with a purpose, which Hashem revealed in the Torah’s very first word. As Rashi explains (Genesis 1:1): א) בְּרֵאשִׁית בָּרָא אֱלֹקים אֵת הַשָּׁמַיִם וְאֵת הָאָרֶץ: 1) In the beginning…

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