I. Allowing a Sin Most religious Jews are raised and educated in a like- minded environment with schoolmates and friends from a similar background. Depending on the family and community, religious Jews have some exposure to non-religious Jews. Often, the...
The Mishna in Pirkeh Avot (5:19) draws a contrast between two very different men – Avraham Avinu, and Bilam. Avraham, of course, was the founder of our nation, one of the most righteous men who ever lived....
Parshas Balak contains an incident which teaches a tremendous ethical lesson. I personally find it to be one of the scariest mussar teachings in the Torah. This incident involves Bilaam, who had a tremendous power of speech. Whoever he blessed...
Parashat Hukat begins with the command of the Para Aduma, the red cow which was slaughtered and then burned into ashes. These ashes were mixed with water that would be used to purify people and objects that...
Parsahas Chukas. The end of an era. Bnei Yisroel’s forty year journey through the desert is coming to a close. Forty years of travels, encampments, and life lessons. Forty years of dedicated guidance and leadership...
Stop Pounding Rabbi Sam Wolfson was giving his speech to the Jewish Federation about the “Tragedy of Jewish Assimilation.” Toward the end of his long speech, the Rabbi clapped his hands...
Visits to Israel used to be highlighted by sitting at the Kotel, going on tiyulim up north, shopping in the shuk, and eating shwarma throughout the country. For my past five visits since Simchas Torah, however, they have...
This week’s Haftara (Chukat) feels like it could be taken from a modern-day newspaper, as it addresses the Jewish people’s right to the land of Israel, particularly in relation to Ishmael. It discusses the impending war of the nation...
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...
The Jewish people have al-ways focused on birthdays. On Pesach, we celebrate the birth of the Jewish nation. We say in Mussaf that the world was created on Rosh H-shana. Many question whether making a birthday party is a Jewish...