Parashat Re’eh begins: “Behold, I am presenting before you today a blessing and a curse.” Moshe Rabbenu proceeds to explain to the people that they have the choice between two paths – the path of mitzvah observance, which...
Once we pass T’u b’Av, the next stop is Elul. Elul is an acronym for, “Ani l’Dodi v’Dodi li,” I am to my Beloved (namely Hashem) and, in that proportion, Hashem reciprocates with special attention to me. I...
The Torah in Parashat Re’eh discusses the basic laws of the three Regalim – the holidays of Pesach, Shabuot and Sukkot, when Beneh Yisrael would assemble in the Bet Ha’mikdash. In presenting the obligations relevant to the celebration...
Moshe’s Wealth In this week’s parsha, Eikev, Moshe recounts the dramatic tale of how, following the Revelation at Sinai, G-d carved out Two Luchot, engraved them with the Ten Commandments, and presented them to Moshe on Har Sinai. When...
Summer is the perfect time to hit the road and travel with the family. When journeying from one city to another, Chazal instituted a bracha called Tfilat Haderech- the traveler’s prayer. The Gmara says (Brachot 29b): when you set...
One of the English- language Jewish songs with the most staying power is Mordechai Ben David’s “Just One Shabbos.” Dovid Nachman Golding tells the story of when and why it was first written and produced: On one of our...
Is it proper to enjoy good food or should we avoid worldly pleasures and focus on spiritual success? The Talmud contains a plethora of seemingly contradictory indications on whether it is morally proper for a Torah scholar, someone striving...
Here’s a story that happened with the Tosfos Yom Tov (Reb Yom Tov Heller, renowned for his commentary on Mishnayos). When the Tosfos Yom Tov became rav of Kapolia, he established two conditions with the leaders of the community: (1) They cannot do anything without...
INGREDIENTS: 1 stick margarine room temperature 3 tablespoons oil 2 eggs 1 cup sugar Zest of 1 orange 1 teaspoon almond extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour 1/2 cup almond flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 3/4...
In the prophecy read as the Haftara for Parashat Ekeb, G-d assures Beneh Yisrael that despite the Hurban (destruction), and His having banished them into exile, He has not forgotten them and will never forsake them. He proclaims,...