Parshas Vaykhel 5786
Parsha Overview The Torah reading this week is mostly a repetition of the many details that go into building the Tabernacle, the portable Temple built by the Jews in the desert. Earlier in the Torah, the directions of how to…
How Do You Feel About Food? Parshas Ki Tisa 5786
We’ve had a pretty busy week, with Purim and all, so this is a repeat, but an awesome one if I may say so myself! Please enjoy it thoroughly! If you were to think of the world capital of Kosher…
Purim in 2042! Parshas Tetzavah/Purim 5786
Leah woke up to the sound of someone walking softly through her apartment, humming a tune that hadn’t existed the day before. “Good morning, Leah,” came the voice, warm and familiar. “Heart rate’s a little high. Did you have a…
Parshas Tetzavah 5786
Parsha Overview There are two main themes to the Torah portion this week. The first deals with the intricate garments worn by the Kohanim, the priests, in their Temple service. Four garments were worn by the standard Kohen, while the…
Parshas Terumah 5786 – A Tribute to Rabbi Avi Cohen z”l
It was more than a dozen years ago when I first met Rabbi Avi Cohen. My wife Shaindel and I traveled from New York to Detroit to interview with Partners in Torah. What Partners was doing in Detroit was unique…
Don’t Steal my Buzzers! Parshas Mishpatim 5786
In the Wild West there were all kinds of villains; thieves, desperados, barrel boarders, gadabouts, nibblers, ruffians, chiselers, shotes, and mops to name a few. But in the Wild West, there was one group of people that were considered the…
Parshas Mishpatim 5786
And, Parshat Mishpatim starts off in a peculiar way. The Hebrew text begins with a “ו“, which translates as “And,” a word usually used to connect two ideas or concepts. But this is the beginning of a new portion!ספר שמות…
Going Out With a Bang!
“Quit while you’re ahead” is one of the simple but wise rules of life. But for David Kime Jr., the rule was a bit different, it went something like this, “Don’t quit even when you’re dead.” David, a longtime resident…