Let’s Be Real
Parhas Behar Bechukosai

Cognitive dissonance hung heavy in the humid air. The people of Maranello, Italy were unsettled. A fire-engine red Ferrari had been driving through town all morning causing quite a racket. Usually, the snarling growl of a Ferrari didn’t bother the people…

Continue ReadingLet’s Be Real
Parhas Behar Bechukosai

Parsat Bahar – Bechukotai 5783

This Shabbat, we will read two portions, Behar and Bechukotai. In Parshat Bechukotai (Leviticus 26:3-13), Hashem promises the Jewish people that if they keep His commandments, they will receive many blessings and experience no hardships. The rains will fall in…

Continue ReadingParsat Bahar – Bechukotai 5783

Where the Sausage is Made
Parshat Acharei Mot – Kedoshim 5783

Some would almost call it a lobbyist hobby, arguing over the best restaurants in DC. When you take people out for breakfast lunch and dinner, food becomes a pretty obsessive topic of conversation. Young lobbyists can spend hours discussing who…

Continue ReadingWhere the Sausage is Made
Parshat Acharei Mot – Kedoshim 5783

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…

Continue ReadingAcharei Mot – Kedoshim 5783

Parshat Tazria Metzora 5783

Tazriah – Metzorah תשפג This coming Shabbat, two portions will be read in Shul. The main topic of these two portions is the “metzorah,” one who is stricken with the malady -צרעת  “tzaraat” (or tzaraas). The usual translation of tzaraat is leprosy, a translation that…

Continue ReadingParshat Tazria Metzora 5783

When can I schedule your surgery?
Parsha Tzav – Shabbat Hagadol 5783

It all started with carpal tunnel. In the modern world, where more people spend their days typing on a keyboard than wielding a hammer or ax, our bodies are being subjected to pressures and repetitive motions that they are not…

Continue ReadingWhen can I schedule your surgery?
Parsha Tzav – Shabbat Hagadol 5783

Lessons from a Toddler
Parshat Vayikra 5783

Due to the Pre-Pesach busyness, I’m sending out a repeat this week. And while it was written long ago, the message still rings true and clear, so I hope you enjoy! Have a Great Shabbos! Grapes are pretty cool. Small…

Continue ReadingLessons from a Toddler
Parshat Vayikra 5783

Parsha Vayikra 5783

Parshat Vayikra תשפ"ג This week we begin the third book of the Torah, ויקרא (Leviticus). Another name for this book is תורת כהנים, (the Laws for the Kohanim), because most of it deals with the laws of the service in the Tabernacle, the domain…

Continue ReadingParsha Vayikra 5783