Patricia Chen
Author's posts
Sep 27
Every Step You Take
(Torah Portion Vaeschanan) Every Step You Take Do you ever wonder if what we do spiritually really makes a difference? Let me share with you a fascinating incident recorded in the Book of Kings and expounded upon in the Talmud and commentaries, which conveys to us that every minute step we take in the right …
Sep 27
120 Days in Heaven!
(Torah Portion Eikev) 120 Days in Heaven! At the end of his life Moshe recounted what occurred following G-d’s Revelation at Mount Sinai. He related that he remained on top of the mountain in the heavenly spheres for forty days and forty nights, studying the Torah from G-d and preparing to descend with the stones …
Sep 27
Expression of Grief
(Torah Portion Re’eh) Expression of Grief The Torah prohibits certain expressions of mourning such as making a cut in one’s body as a sign of mourning, as it says, “You are children of G-d, do not cut yourselves, nor tear out the hair between your eyes over a death.” Yet in contrast, there is a …
Sep 27
Conscious About Guilt
(Torah Portion Shoftim) Conscious About Guilt King David writes in the Book of Psalms, “G-d is close to all those who call upon Him sincerely.” Rabbi Mattisyahu Solomon asks an obvious question: “If one is calling out to G-d, isn’t he naturally calling out sincerely. What does King David mean by, G-d listens – to …
Sep 27
Peace and Blessings at Home
(Torah Portion Ki Seitzai) Peace and Blessings at Home A person once confided to a friend that his marriage had become a bit strained. His friend advised him to seek marriage counseling, which he refused to entertain. His friend then recommended that he go to the great and pious Rabbi Yaacov Yisroel Kanievsky, the Steipler …
Sep 27
Joyful Celebration
(Torah Portion Ki Savo) Joyful Celebration In the early 1900’s in Newark, New Jersey, a very wealthy businessman’s mother passed away. After the burial, he returned to her house to sit Shiva. The next morning, he felt it impossible to stay away from the office for the week, and wished to head to work. However, …
Sep 27
Tradition, Tradition!
(Torah Portion Nitzavim/VaYailech) Tradition, Tradition! The Talmud records a conversation between the Romans and Rebbe Yehoshua. The Romans asked: “From where in the Written Torah do we see that G-d will bring the dead alive and that G-d knows the future?” Rebbe Yehoshua answered, that both are hinted at in a verse in this week’s …
Sep 27
Never Divorced
(Torah Portion Devorim) Never Divorced Each year on the Shabbos prior to Tisha B’Av – the fast day of the Ninth day of Av, we chant a Haftorah beginning with the words, “Chazone Yeshayahu – The vision of Isaiah…” The Shabbos is therefore referred to as, “Shabbos Chazone.” In the Haftorah, the Prophet Isaiah shares …
Sep 27
Never Ending Sound
(Torah Portion Va’eschanan) Never Ending Sound Twice each Shabbos we recite King David’s 29th Psalm that begins with the word Mizmor L’Dovid. The first time is Friday evening during the Kabalas Shabbos – welcoming Shabbos prayer and the second time is after reading the Torah scroll while it is carried back into the ark. This …
Sep 27
Heaven Within Reach
(Torah Portion Aikev) Heaven Within Reach The Curiosity Rover made it to Mars! The 154 million mile trek took eight months and cost 2.5 billion dollars and the text message indicating that it landed safely took 14 minutes to reach NASA mission control back on earth. Fascinating! I want to introduce something even more fascinating, …