Enjoy Sukkot; you earned it. You probably think you know what I mean. After the heavy lifting of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the shofar, fasting, prayers, confessions, etc., we deserve a little relaxation and joy. But I am not talking about that. I am talking about something much deeper, …
Read the full story »It’s been Two Thousand Years Can We Still Be In Love?
On Sunday, the Ninth of Av in the Jewish calendar – we commemorate the destruction of our ancient temple in Jerusalem which was destroyed in the year 69 of the common era. Jewish history is largely comprised of two segments namely, pre and post Temple destruction The first era is …
Toldot : Israel and Beyond
Our Pasha extols the virtue of Abraham. (1) “He kept my charge, my commandments my decrees and my laws.” The great Commentator Rashi, (Shlomo Yitzchaki, Scholar and author, eleventh century France) explained that Avraham kept all the commandments that were later given at Sinai, including the minute details, the decrees …
New Year Greeting 5765: The Rising Price of Gas
Oil Tesheuvah and the New Year
We live in an age of internationally rising consumption, which is in turn driving the price of crude oil to unprecedented heights. Our fear of quickly diminishing yet finite oil reserves is only compounded by the threat of instability in the Middle East.
In short, high …
The Nerve and The Miracle
I met a lovely young lady by the name of Chana Libah. She is a remarkable person and an amazing optimist. She had suffered multiple tumors and was in recovery from her latest bout. Chana Libah, undergoing a treatment regiment that would break a lesser person, spoke of her
travails with …
Parsha Insights »
Vaeira: Doing Our Best
Children And Adults
The roaring twenties were not so roaring for the Jewish community of Poland. The Lubavitcher Rebbe’s trusted disciple, Rabbi Yechezkel (Chatshe) Fegin administered the Chabad network of Jewish schools in the region, but there was always a lack of funding. One day, Rabbi Fegin informed the Rebbe that …
Yearly Cycle »
Rosh Hashanah and January First
Remarkably Different
The Rosh Hashanah celebrations differ greatly from those of the secular new Year. The first of January is a time for parties, Rosh Hashanah is welcomed with sounding the Shofar, somber prayers, and sobering thoughts.
Concepts »
Yitro: Original Thought
How Dare We?
Jewish tradition and history assigned names to all Torah portions. The portion that describes the delivery of the Ten Commandments at Sinai is named after Moses’ father in law, Jethro. Based on the belief that everything, including a choice of name, occurs for a reason, we wish to …
Rabbi’s Desk »
The Passing of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
It has been around a year since the world has lost a great leader with the passing of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. Who will be his successor?
There will be millions beginning with me and you.
Rabbi Sacks was a unique and leading voice among rabbis in our generation. His keen intellect and …
