SHABBAT SHEQALIM
In the time of the Bet haMiqdash, the Temple of Jerusalem, daily communal sacrifices (qorbanot) were offered on behalf of all the Jewish people. ...
The religious evolution of President Javier Milei
"The transition to Judaism by President signifies an incomprehensible step backward. It is reasonable for a Jew to become a Christian, not the...
KI TISA: Moses, The Golden Calf and Fifth Graders
The Disconnection
A few months ago, my son Rabbi David told me that while passing by his daughter Tamar's Zoom class, he heard the rowdy...
UNRWA: What sets Palestinian refugees apart from all other refugees in...
WHY TWO AGENCIES?
An international agency created by the United Nations is responsible for assisting all refugees in the world: the UNHCR, the United Nations...
MISHPATIM: When The Abused Becomes The Abuser
וְגֵר לֹא תִלְחָץ וְאַתֶּם יְדַעְתֶּם אֶת נֶפֶשׁ הַגֵּר כִּי גֵרִים הֱיִיתֶם בְּאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם.
Exodus 23: 9
THE PROBLEM
It is said that when someone abuses another person...
YITRO: Why We Ignore Good Advice
Yitro, Moses’ father-in-law, arrives at the Israelite camp with his daughter Tzipora, Moses’ wife, and their two grandsons, Gershom and Eliezer. The reunion was...
On Wars and Existential Faith
Wars take their toll. One day we rejoice in our victories, and the next day we mourn the irreparable loss of precious Jewish souls....
Hanukka, Gaza, and the Miracle of October 7th
When I entered the synagogue on the morning of October 7th, I slowly learned what had happened in Israel on that fateful day of...
New Year 2024: Celebrating Circumcision?
THE ORIGIN OF THE CIVIL NEW YEAR
The 2024 New Year will begin tonight at 12:00 a.m. on January 1st. According to Christian tradition, New...
The Pharaoh Of Gaza
EGYPT
One of the best-known themes in the story of the Exodus from Egypt is that of the ten plagues with which the Creator struck...
Shabbat Candles and Hanukka Candles
FRIDAY, BEFORE SUNSET
In New York, we will light the third Hanukka candle today , December 7th, around 4.10 -4.15pm. Why so early? Although we light...
VAYETSE: Brief history of the word “Jew”
The word "yehudí" is equivalent to the word "Jew." But in terms of their function, these two terms are sometimes opposite: "Yehudi" is an...
Writen in 2009: Never again, is up to us
Spech given on April.25.2009 Tazria - Metzora (Holocaust) 1.Yiar.5769
This is a difficult week for a Rabbi to decide on a subject for his speech....
Who doesn’t want a ceasefire in Gaza?
Israel is facing a military operation that is essentially a rescue mission. Hamas has invaded Israel, violated, tortured, wounded, and massacred thousands of Israeli...
MEGILAT ESTHER UNPACKED: Chapter ONE
INTRODUCTION:
In 586 BCE, Jerusalem was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, emperor of Babylon. The Jews were exiled and dispersed throughout the empire. In 539 BCE, two...
VAYERA: The Sacrifice of Isaac
Adapted from the book "Encounters" by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan z»l
Abraham hears a Voice. The Voice is familiar. It is the same Voice that commanded...
LEKH LEKHA: How does God reward righteous people?
Our sages have indicated that Abraham, our first patriarch, underwent 10 "nisiyonot," trials or life experiences. Each of these experiences should be seen as...
