Of all the twenty-four books of Tanach, Megilas Esther is the most enigmatic. One must be a Biblical cryptographer in order to discover the many secrets lurking under the surface of the thrilling Esther story. This is because...
Mishehnichnas Adar, marbim b’simcha. When the month of Adar arrives, we increase our simcha. Does the onset of Adar being instantaneous happiness? Magical joy? Does Adar wash away all our pain and sorrow, promising to dissolve...
DEALING WITH THE TENSION OF THE HUMAN PERSONALITY Linking the apron and the breastplate There is an intriguing mitzvah (commandment) recorded in this week’s Torah portion: “And they shall bind the choshen (breastplate) by its rings to the rings of the...
When the Founding Fathers included the pursuit of happiness as an American right and entitlement, it is almost as if they conceded that happiness can be pursued, but it is unlikely to ever be attained. If you look...
During a press conference at the White House, a reporter posed a pointed question to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky: “Mr. President, why don’t you wear a suit? You’re at the highest level in this country’s office, and you refuse...
Dear Rabbi and Shira, I’m hoping you can help me. I have been friends with this guy for the past few years. We get along well and I have strong feelings...
The Mitzvah One is obligated to send mishloach manos on Purim to his friend etc. This mitzvah was introduced during the time of Mordechai and Esther and is considered a divrei kabbalah mitzvah and not a d’oraisa. There are two basic...
You have heard from others how Rav Elazar Mayer Teitz was a respected community rabbi and accomplished educator who impacted the lives of thousands in his community. I am here to talk about a completely different aspect of his life....
BEER MARINATED DRUMSTICKS INGREDIENTS: 8-10 chicken drumsticks 1/4 cup olive oil 1 tsp onion salt 1 tsp paprika 1/2 tsp ground cumin 1/4 tsp cayenne 1/2 tsp ground black pepper 3-4 cloves of garlic Juice of half a lime 1 cup...
The Megillah introduc- es Mordechai as an איש יהודי and also as an איש ימיני. The Gemara ex- plains this to mean that from his mother’s side, Mordechai descended from the tribe of Yehudah (יהודה(, and from...