I still remember a slogan from a well- known public service announcement from my youth: “Friends don’t let friends drive drunk.” Simple yet profound, it captured the essence of true friendship: stepping in when someone else’s choices could cause harm. That...
One of the most antisemitic figures in the world today— responsible in no small part for the sharp rise in antisemitism in recent years—is the rapper Kanye West. He wrote songs such as “Heil Hitler,” and the like, which...
Dear Rabbi and Shira, I’m not sure what to do. I went out on a first date last week, and everything was going nicely. Despite the differences in our backgrounds, we have...
The Mitzvah There is a great mitzvah for one to be involved with making shidduchim between a boy and girl. Hashem was the first shadchan in the world who made the shidduch between Adom and Chavah. The Chozeh from Lublin is...
I. Rabbi Sacks’ Focus on Chumash Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, whose fifth yahrtzeit was this past week, focused much of his teachings on the Chumash, the Five Books of Moses. His analyses vary widely in style, ranging from close readings...
Parashat Hayeh-Sara tells of Avraham Avinu’s efforts to purchase Me’arat Hamachpelah– the Machpeila Cave in Hevron, where he wished to bury his wife, Sara, who had just passed away. The territory of this special cave was owned by a...
What’s the status of a pareve soup cooked in a pareve bowl in a Fleishig microwave? It’s still pareve but cannot be eaten together with milk. For example, if someone cooks spaghetti in a...
The Torah in Parashat Vayera tells the story of the destruction of Sedom, a wicked city which G-d condemned to annihilation. Before destroying the city, G-d sent two angels to rescue Lot – Avraham’s nephew – who...
My daughter’s friend, Rena, shared a personal story that speaks volumes. Rena’s days are hectic, being a devoted mom to a growing family, while at the same time having a demanding, full-time career. It was...
Hospitality The opening of this week’s parsha, Vayera, relates the tale of Avraham sitting during a hot day at the entrance of his tent and observing three men standing nearby. He ran toward them and insisted they come to...