The greatest miracle of our times, on par, perhaps, with that of the Six-Day War, occurred last Saturday night. More than 360 missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles were dispatched by Iran to Israel. The intention was to destroy defensive infrastructure, wreak mayhem and havoc, and destroy Jewish lives.
Some of the …
Mishpatim: Modern Relevance of Ancient Texts
Striking the Slave
This week’s Torah portion reads like a book of law on subjects such as property damage, personal injury and halachic jurisprudence.
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Teruma: The Size of a Sacrifice
A Cause for Wonder
Moshe was instructed to build a Mishkan (tent) in which G-d would manifest his presence. Gazing into the future Moshe saw King Shlomo marvel that “A G-d who is not contained by the vast heavens would fit into the small confines of the Beis Hamikdash!” Moshe reflected …
The Loss of llan Ramon: Lessons from A Tragedy
As we approach the Yhartzeit
(anniversary of passing) of Ilan Ramon, the Israeli Astronaut who died
in the explosion of the Columbia Space Shuttle, we present the
following thoughts.
Grieving the True Loss
The explosion of the
Columbia Space Shuttle shook the world. The loss of Ilan Ramon, the
first Israeli astronaut in Space, brought the Jewish world …
Terumah: Our Only True Possession
Receiving Through Giving
“And you shall take for me a contribution,” is the first verse of this Parsha. The fact that it reads “You shall take for me a contribution” and not “You shall give for me a contribution” indicates that he who gives is also a recipient. In fact, that …
Yitro: The Confident Approach
Cold Feet
Many years ago, I found myself in a plane high above the Grand Canyon. I was on my way to accept a job as head counselor of a West Coast summer day camp when I began to doubt myself. Was this job right for me? Was I good enough? …
Mishpatim: A Tale of Two Perspectives
Murder and Peace
“If a man should act against his fellow to kill him with guile, from my altar shall you take him to die”. Why does the Torah speak of taking the murderer from the altar? The altar is known as an instrument of peace but if a murderer seeks …
Mishpatim: Spiritual Fertility
A Reward for Mitzvah
“Lo Tehiye Meshakeilah V’akara B’artzecha, Es Mispar Yomecha Amale.” There shall be no miscarriage or infertility in your land, I shall fill the number of your days. The simple meaning of this verse is a blessing from G-d for long life and fertility in reward for keeping …
Yitro- Each to his own Level
Deputizing the Students
In this week’s Parsha we read that Moses descended from Mt Sinai and began to teach G-d’s Torah to the Masses. As Moses sat from morning to evening long queues of query laden students formed up and snaked around his tent for miles. Each sought an answer, each …
Parsha Insights »
Vaysihlach: Civilian Casualties
The Ethical Dilemma
Attacked by a barrage of rockets from Gaza that killed several, injured many and terrorized millions, Israel responded with airstrikes against military targets in Gaza. Radar guided missiles attacked terror cells, rockets launchers, bomb factories and Hamas government installations.[1]
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Yearly Cycle »
Yom Hazikaron: We Remember
Sweeping vista
Lifeless plane
Victory hollow
Heart of pain
Land mass strewn
friend and foe
Lie forever
Battle throe
Sand storm rising
Sinai beckons
A soul asunder
Wanders, reckons
Patience try
Today on high
Was it worth it
An anguished sigh
A rising wave
A tidal crest
We won the war
We lost our best
Victory sweet
A price so steep
Oh please dear G-d
My brother keep
Sinai captured
Fires cease
Dead, secure
A lasting peace
Will …
Concepts »
Vayikra: The Daily Offering
A Little is Enough
If you were a little fly on the wall of the Tabernacle or Temple you would notice a curious aspect of the sacrificial rite, namely the daily offerings. Each morning, at dawn’s earliest light, a sheep offering was made. Every day the same kind of sheep with …
Rabbi’s Desk »
What Can We Do?
These past two days have been the most difficult for our people in the last fifty years. It was Simchat Torah, a time for rejoicing, yet it was a time of horror. Nearly a thousand members of our family were brutally murdered, more than a hundred were taken hostage, and …
