VAYISHLACH: The ‘NOs’ That Define Our Lives
THE SWORD OF ESAV
Ya’aqob Abinu returns to the land of Israel. He has many doubts. One of those doubts is whether his brother...
VAYISHLACH: Proportionality in the war against Hamas
Written in December 2023
THE NATIONS, UNITED AGAINST ISRAEL
Most of the world's nations systematically criticize and demonize Israel when Israel defends itself from terrorist attacks....
1. The Greek Emperor and the Jewish Priest
This coming Sunday night, December 18, we will celebrate Hanukka. This holiday reminds us of what happened over 2,000 years ago when the Greek-Seleucid...
HANUKA: Sephardic and Ashkenazi traditions
Unlike other Jewish holidays like Pesach, there are no significant differences between the customs of Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jews regarding Hanukka. However, there are...
Megilat Taanit and Jewish Victories
Brief Overview of the Festivities Celebrated During the Second Temple Era, Primarily Reflecting the Victories of the Hasmoneans
The following text is drawn from Peninei...
How, when, and where should we light Hanukka candles?
WHERE SHOULD WE LIGHT THE CANDLES?
We light the Hanukka candles to express our recognition and gratitude to HaShem for the miracles He performed for...
HANUKKA: The blessings and prayers when lighting the candles
This year, Sunday night, December 14, 2025, corresponding to the 25th of Kislev, 5786, we will light the first candle of Hanukka.
The celebration of...
VAYISHLACH: Sexual Harassment in the Tora
(Written in Dec 2017)
THE INNOCENCE OF DINA (pronounced: Deena)
The Tora tells us about cases of sexual abuse and sexual corruption.
This week's Parasha, for example,...
THANKSGIVING: A Sepharadic Approach
Sephardic Jews, the first Jews to arrive in America in the middle of the 17th century, first settled in New York, then known as...
VAYETSE: The First Thanksgiving
A BRIEF HISTORY OF A NAME
The Jewish people were not always called by this name. In the Hebrew Bible or Tanakh, three names appear...
