As wildfires rage across Los Ange- les, leaving de- struction in their wake, the raw power and unpre- dictability of fire come to the forefront of our minds. Fire, while a source of life and warmth has the...
Dear Rabbi and Shira, Hi. I read your column all the time. I hope you can help me. I’m not sure what to do. I’ve gone out with this guy several times....
When Yaakov gave his Bracha to Ephraim and Manashe he said, “May the Angel who redeems me from all evil bless the lads, and may my name be declared upon them, and the names of my forefathers, Avraham and...
The Gemora teaches us, “Im ein daas, havdala minayin – Without knowledge, how does one differentiate?” This is the reason why in the Shemone Esrei on Motzoi Shabbos we say the havdala insertion of Atah chonantonu within the blessing of...
Moments before Yaakov Avinu’s petirah, he gathered his children and said (Bereishis 49:1) “Assemble yourself...
If one made a bracha on food and then remembered that it is a fast day, what should he do? This situation presents a dilemma. On the one hand, it is prohibited to eat even a small...
Many parents observe the beautiful, time- honored practice to bless their children every week on Friday night. The blessing they give is, “Yesimcha Elokim Ke’Efrayim Ve’chi’Mnashe” – that Hashem should make them like Yosef’s two sons, Efrayim and Menashe. The...
End of life plans. Wills, last requests. Not things that are pleasant to think about. Decisions we tend to delay and push off. Discussions with our loved ones we want to avoid. Parshas Vayechi is...
Culminating Words Thus are the culminating words of the first—and in many ways the foundational—book of the Torah, Sefer Bereishit: “Yosef died at the age of one hundred and ten years; they embalmed him and he was placed in a...
My family loves soup! It’s a great way to start off any meal and sneak some extra veggies into the kids. One of their favorites is butternut squash soup. I love roasting the...