I. Employment and Slavery The issue of drafting Israeli yeshiva students into the IDF is a perennial political topic. I would like to discuss a related topic but without any political connection. In order to survive, a country has...
At the end of Parashat Emor, the Torah tells an upsetting story about a man from Beneh Yisrael who got into a fight, and as a result, he publicly cursed Hashem, Heaven forbid. The Rabbis explain that...
Have No Regrets When You Offer Your Thanksgiving Offering In addition to the mitzvos of the Kehunah, this week’s Parsha contains some of the mitzvos which pertain to Korbonos. The pasuk [verse] states “If you will bring a Thanksgiving...
The tfilah Elokai N’ztor continues with, “V’chol hachosh’vim alai ra’ah, meheirah hafeir atzasam v’kalkeil machashavtam – All those who plot evil against me, may their plans be quickly foiled and their machinations be ruined.” The Avudraham beautifully explains that this...
Parshas Kedoshim. “Kedoshim te’hiyu, You shall be holy...
Judge Favorably This week’s parsha, Kedoshim, contains a commandment, which we often do not think about as such: “With Justice you shall judge your fellow man.” The Talmud gives two different interpretations for this verse. According to one opinion,...
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 have a child but have been denied by nature...
At various colleges across the nation, s t u d e n t demonstrations have sprung up in response to the Israel- Hamas conflict, following the lead of activists at Columbia University. These protests urge universities to distance themselves...
Dear Rabbi and Shira, I am dating a guy who wants to be a rabbi. He’s a smart individual with sterling middis and a big heart. At the beginning of our...
Ever since the State of Israel came into existence, there has been a debate whether or not to recite Hallel on Yom Ha’atzma’ut. We will discuss the reasoning of those who feel it should be recited and the majority opinion...