Dear JITC- What did Rabbi Akiva’s students do wrong? Whatever they did, isn’t killing 24,000 of them a bit much? Thanks, Daria Dear Daria- Thanks for your question. Allow me to flesh it out a...
After so many centuries of persecution we understand very well the question of the Jewish people (in the haftorah of parshas Eikev), “Has Hashem forsaken us? Has He forgotten about...
Embedded in this week’s parsha are two of the most fundamental c o m m a n d s of Judaism – commands that touch on the very nature of...
I. Rashbash and Chumra Religious life tends toward conservatism, retaining the practices and rhythms of prior years. New stringencies are often derided as fanaticism, an offensive rejection of earlier generations’ religiosity....
Parshat Emor portrays the scathing blasphemy of an unnamed Jew whose pedigree was questioned. This desecration of G-d’s name threatens communal sanctity and the offender is publicly stone. This entails...
This is a great soup for the summer. You don’t even have to turn on the stovetop. You can serve it as an appetizer for Shabbat or an easy weekday meal with...
FAST FACTS Name: Klay Alexander Thompson Born: February 8, 1990 (age 29) in Los Angeles, California Position: Shooting guard All Star Games: 5 NBA Champion: 3 times Thompson is the son of former NBA player Mychal Thompson. College: Washington...
While some are counting down to Mother’s Day this Sunday with great excitement and anticipation, many are looking at the calendar with dread and anxiety. For those desperately longing to...
TORAH FROM ISRAEL YOM HAATZMAUT: REDEMPTION UNDER CONSTRUCTION Repeatedly, Dovid Hamelech employs the metaphor of a tower or a fortress to portray redemption. This image of a tall edifice soaring above humanity...
The opening chapter of Kedoshim contains two of the most powerful of all commands: to love your neighbour and to love the stranger. “Love your neighbour as yourself: I am...