08 Feb SUPER BOWL MUSINGS
Being that the Super Bowl is this Sunday, I would like to weigh-in with some thoughts. At the outset, I would like to make a very un-American confession: I really...
01 Feb REHABILITATING CRIMINALS THE JEWISH WAY
One wonders why Parshas Mishpotim, the source for many Jewish civil laws, starts out with the subject of slavery. After all, Hashem, who sees the future in its entirety, knew...
26 Jan YISRO’S REALIZATION
Yisro made the astute observation, “Now I know that Hashem is the true G-d, “Ki badavar asher zadu aleihem,” that which the Egyptians plotted against the Jews befell upon them....
18 Jan THE SECRET OF CHEIN
The great Rav Chatzkel Levenstein, zt”l, zy”a, made a very interesting observation about the saga in Egypt. He comments that the greatest miracle that occurred in Egypt was the fact...
11 Jan SILENCE IS GOLDEN
Moshe Rabbeinu prayed that the frogs should depart from Egypt as per Pharoh’s request. Among all of the frogs, the sole survivors were those that risked their lives to go...
04 Jan THE IMPORTANCE AND MEANING OF JEWISH NAMES
In the beginning of parshas Shemos, the posuk says, “… Shemos Bnei Yisroel habonim – The names of the Jewish People who came.” The Baal Haturim revealed that the first letter of these four words spells shevi’ah, which means captivity. And...
28 Dec A GREAT WAY TO LIVE LONG AND PROSPER
The Words Vaileh Shmos is an acronym for vchayav adam lhashlim haparsha shnayim mikra vechad targum-one is required to review the weekly Torah portion, twice with the language of the...
21 Dec MISHNAH YOMIS – A RARE AND VALUABLE OPPORTUNITY
A rare opportunity is coming our way this Shabbos, December 25th, with the study of a new cycle of the global Mishnah Yomis, starting with Masechtas Berachos. Thousands of smart...
14 Dec ACTUALIZING THE AFTERLIFE
As Chanukah is already in our rear view mirrors (believe it or not) and we are facing (at least here on the eastern seaboard) what the Farmer’s Almanac is calling...
08 Dec THE OBFUSCATION POWERS OF THE YEITZER HARA
When Yaakov wrestled with the malach, we know the identity of Yaakov’s antagonist. He was saro shel Eisav, the angel of Eisav. He is also otherwise known as Samo’el or,...