When G-d disciplines us, the pain is real—but it is born of love. When He gives freely, we feel His kindness. When He withholds or corrects, His love is less visible—but in truth, it runs even deeper.
Read the full story »Shavuot: A Basic Overview
Shavuos is the holiday in which our ancestors received the Torah at Mt. Sinai. This holiday marks the end of the seven-week period of the Omer and is celebrated with great festivity and joy. The holiday lasts for two days (one day in Israel) and falls on the sixth and …
Omer: A Basic Overview
Counting of the Omer
When our
ancestors left Egypt, G-d promised that He would bring them to Mt.
Sinai and give them the Torah. In anticipation of receiving the Torah,
Jews began to count the days and weeks left until their arrival to Mt.
Sinai.
In commemoration
of their counting, we are commanded to count the days …
Passover: A Basic Overview
Chametz and Matzah
On Passover we celebrate our ancestors’ exodus from Egypt. When our ancestors left Egypt they left in great haste. They didn’t have time to properly bake bread before they left and consequently ate unleavened bread for their first days of travel.In commemoration of this fact, the Torah commands …
Purim: A Basic Overview
The Story
Purim is the
holiday in which the miracle of Mordechai and Esther is celebrated. In
the year 3405 (about 350 BCE) a majority of the Jewish nation lived in
Persia. King Achashverush, spurred on by his advisor Haman, decreed
that the entire Jewish nation be executed on the Thirteenth day of the
Hebrew month …
Chanukah: A Basic Overview
The Chanukah Story
In the year 3616 (around 140 BCE) Syrian Greek King Antiochus Epipanes engaged the Jewish nation in war. He marched into the holy city of Jerusalem and desecrated the Temple. For six long years Antiochus’ army raped, pillaged and decimated the Jewish nation both spiritually and physically.A small …
Simchat Torah: A Basic Overview
Concluding the Torah
Every Shabbos during services we read a portion from the Torah. It takes a full year to complete the entire cycle of the Torah reading. The last day of the High Holiday season is devoted to celebrating the annual completion of the Torah reading.We read the last portion …
Sukkot: A Basic Overview
The Sukkah
The holiday of Sukkos introduces the second half of the High Holiday season. The first half is somber and reflective; the second half is celebrated with joy. In our extreme gratitude to the Almighty for granting us yet another good year, we rejoice, revel and celebrate.Sukkos falls on the …
Yom Kippur: A Basic Overview
A Day of Atonement
Yom Kippur falls on the tenth day of the year, precisely eight days after Rosh Hashanah. The first ten days of the year are called Yemai Teshuvah (days of repentance). During these days we continue to repent for our past shortcomings and resolve to do better in …
Parsha Insights »
Vayetze: Stimulating Trials
Jacob and Laban
This week’s Parsha describes our Patriarch Jacob’s journey from parents’ home to the home of his uncle Laban. This was a journey from a place of sacred purity to a pit of immorality and deceit. Understandably, it was a difficult journey.
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Yearly Cycle »
A Matzah That Flips The Script
Just when you thought misery was bad, the Matzah teaches it can be a source of light.
Concepts »
Your List of Flaws
You have a list of flaws. Sorry for outing you, but it’s not a big secret. We all have strengths and flaws.
I challenge you to sit down and list all your strengths and flaws. Let’s be honest; you have both. Now, set the list of strengths aside. I don’t need …
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 …
