Parshat Re’eh 5781
Reeh תשפא A student recently asked me, “There are two major types of social systems, democracy and socialism. What social system does the Torah recommend?” I answered him that the Torah’s social system is neither, as it operates on a different…
Did He make something for you?
Parshat Ekev 5781
The beast lumbering by my van’s window had a face as large as a pizza pie, and a body that weighed as much as a small car. Its gait was clumsy and graceful all at once, massive muscular haunches dutifully…
Parshat Ekev 5781
Parshat Ekev This week’s portion contains, according to all opinions, the only Torah-mandated ברכה - blessing, namely, the ברכת המזון - Birkat Hamazon, the Grace after meals, which is derived from the verse in (Deuteronomy 8:10): ספר דברים פרק ח י) וְאָכַלְתָּ וְשָׂבָעְתָּ וּבֵרַכְתָּ אֶת יְדֹוָד…
Complex machines need complex solutions
Parshat Ve’eschanen 5781
ma·chine: noun, often attributive \mə-ˈshēn\ A: a constructed thing whether material or immaterial B : an assemblage of parts that transmit forces, motion, and energy one to another in a predetermined manner (2) : an instrument designed to transmit or modify…
Parshat Vaetchanan 5781
Vaetchanan תשפא The Talmud (Makot 23b) teaches us that Hashem gave the Jewish people 613 מצות - commandments. דרש רבי שמלאי: שש מאות ושלש עשרה מצות נאמרו לו למשה ...אמר רב המנונא מאי קרא תורה צוה לנו משה מורשה תורה בגימטריא שית מאה…
How many slices are there in a pie of pizza?
Parshat Devarim – Tisha B’Av
What would you say if I told you that the US agricultural system is dependent on millions of unpaid slave laborers that almost no one knows about? What if I told you that they are crammed into the back of…
The art of the heist
Nitzavim- Vayelech 5780
Most of the information in this article was found in an article by Travis McDade in the September 2020 edition of the Smithsonian Magazine. Deep in the “if you know, you know” section, is the word INCUNABLE. To 99.9%…
The Sushi Saga
Parshat Ki Tavo 5780
This is a rerun from a previous Shabbos email, that came out exactly eight years ago. I hope you enjoy! I introduced my wife to the pleasures of good sushi on our seventh date. In just a few hours, my…