How is it possible for a mortal human being to cling to Hashem? The Rambam answers that by cleaving to talmidei chochomim, you are fulfilling this posuk. Why is that?...
In Parashat Emor the Torah presents one of the most important of the 613 Biblical commands – the prohibition against “Hillul Hashem,” defaming the Name of God: “You shall not...
Whether he was your server or not, at some point during your meal at Butcher Block in Boca Raton, Mark was likely to stop by your table to say hi,...
The TV A pothead walks into an appliance store and asks the owner, “How much for that TV set in the window?” The owner looks at the TV set, then looks at...
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...