The Coffee Devil
The information presented below is based on an article by Jordan Weissman in The Atlantic magazine, which appeared on Dec 27, 2013. I had my first whole cup of coffee at the age of ten. Oh, how I savored that…
Parshas Pekudei 5784
Parshat Pekudei תשפ"ד This week’s portion begins by telling us (Exodus 38:21) that Moshe gave a reckoning of all the gold, silver, and brass that was used in the Mishkan’s (Tabernacle) construction. (כא) אֵלֶּה פְקוּדֵי הַמִּשְׁכָּן מִשְׁכַּן הָעֵדֻת אֲשֶׁר…
Do you mind texting me instead of calling?
Parshat Vayakel Pekudei
Hello Everybody, Basam settled into his seat at the back of the auditorium. Professor Steven's Constitutional Law course was one of the most popular classes offered, and even after the optional in person policy the auditorium was usually packed, which…
Shabbat Hachodesh 5783
שבת החודש - Shabbat HaChodesh On the last day of the month of Adar, as the first sliver of the new moon signaling the beginning of the new month Nissan appeared, Hashem taught Moshe and Aharon the mitzvah of sanctifying the new…
I’m Desperate for Friends…
Parshat Pekudei 5782
There are three kinds of people in the world. The first are the people who only go places with friends; these are often people who are afraid to be alone, lest they have to meet themselves and get to know…
Parshat Pekudei 5782
Parshat Pekudei תשפ"ב This week’s portion has the Torah tallying the gold, silver, and copper used in the Tabernacle’s construction. But first, the Torah provides a lengthy introduction to the Tabernacle itself (Exodus 38:21,22): ספר שמות פרק לח כא) אֵלֶּה פְקוּדֵי…
By Tuesday I knew I was in trouble…
Parshat Vayakel- Pekudei
By Tuesday afternoon I knew that I was in real trouble. What started out as a regular stomachache on Sunday morning, was now a constant searing pain inside my gut. Originally, I assumed it was the herring I ate on…
A hero we can learn from…
Vayakel-Pekudei 5780
As we all hunker down in our homes, a steady stream of both funny and scary memes making their way across our phones and computers, I thought we would do something a little different for the Shabbos email. In…
Parshat Vayakhel Pekudei 5780
Parshat Vayakhel Pekudei תשפ Although we read about the sin of the Golden Calf in last week’s Torah portion, Ki Tisah, because it is the subject of so much misunderstanding, we should look at the events through the eyes of…
Parshat Pekudei 5779
Parshat Pekudei תשע"ט This week’s portion has the Torah tallying the gold, silver, and copper used in the Tabernacle’s construction. But before it gets there, it provides a lengthy introduction to the Tabernacle itself (Exodus 38:21,22): ספר שמות פרק לח…