Do You Really Want Utopia? 
Parshat Ki Teitzei 5782

In early 1973, a US researcher named John Calhoun found himself in the middle of a small city that had mysteriously died out. There was not a single resident remaining, despite it having a population of 2200 just two years…

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Parshat Ki Teitzei 5782

Ki Teitzei 5782

Ki Teitzei תשפ"ב             Moshe took a mere thirty-six days to teach the entire book of Deuteronomy to the Jewish people. As we near the book’s end, Moshe’s death and the transition to Yehoshua’s leadership is only days away. This means that…

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Craving Some Humiliation? 
Parshat Shoftim 5782

If you ever find yourself with a craving for humiliation, try the following: walk into any Hermes store, and ask the salesperson if they have any Birkin bags. What will follow is a full sizing up of you as a…

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Parshat Shoftim 5782

Parshat Shoftim 5782

Parashat Shoftim תשפ"ב The first verse in this week’s portion (Deuteronomy 16:18) instructs us:  (יח) שֹׁפְטִים וְשֹׁטְרִים תִּתֶּן לְךָ בְּכָל שְׁעָרֶיךָ אֲשֶׁר יְדֹוָד אֱלֹהֶיךָ נֹתֵן לְךָ לִשְׁבָטֶיךָ וְשָׁפְטוּ אֶת הָעָם מִשְׁפַּט צֶדֶק 18) Judges and policemen you shall appoint in all…

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Parshat Ekev 5782

Parashat Ekev תשפ"ב In this week’s portion, Ekev (Deuteronomy 7:12-16), Hashem promises the Jewish people that if they keep the Torah, He will guarantee that all material matters will be perfect.  (יב) וְהָיָה עֵקֶב תִּשְׁמְעוּן אֵת הַמִּשְׁפָּטִים הָאֵלֶּה וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם וַעֲשִׂיתֶם אֹתָם…

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If it’s good enough for the doctors… 
Parshat Veeschanan- Namachu 5782

May 28th is a special day. Exactly two decades ago, that day found me standing under a chuppah; watching my soon-to-be wife walk down the aisle flanked by her parents, and praying intensely that G-d should make our home into one…

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Parshat Veeschanan- Namachu 5782

We don’t need those keys…
 Parshat Devorim- Tisha B’av 5782

The following story is true, however the names and details have been fictionalized to bring out the story. The pounding in Shlomo’s head wouldn’t stop, but it was easily drowned out by the pain in his heart. The city lie…

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 Parshat Devorim- Tisha B’av 5782

Tisha B’Av 5782

 Tisha B’av תשפ"ב             Next Sunday, August 7, the Jewish people will observe Tisha B’av - the 9th of Av, a fast day. On this date many years ago, both Holy Temples were destroyed. Throughout history, other cataclysmic events also occurred on that…

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