Our portion begins by telling us that our forefather Yaacov was traveling, and as nightfall was quickly approaching, he set up camp. He went to sleep and had a prophetic dream. In the dream he saw a ladder extending from Israel to the heavens with angels going up and down the ladder. G-d spoke to …
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Nov 28
Assurance!
When we study the Torah and read about the lives of our forefathers, Avraham, Yitzchok and Yaacov, we see that their lives were not smooth sailing. They all met with challenges, but within each of them was the ability to stand up to the task or test. Rabbi Yaacov Kamenetzky o.b.m. points out something very …
Jun 21
What Makes Us Tick!
In the beginning of the second millennium major tragedies occurred to the Jewish people. The first crusade began in the year 1095, and the second crusade was in the year 1147. Many Jews chose to be killed sanctifying G-d’s Name rather than converting to Christianity. However, some Jews buckled under the pressure and converted, and …
Jun 14
Think it Through!
If one feels he was overlooked for a desired position, or he feels a lack of acknowledgment for something he did, and those feelings aren’t dealt with in a healthy way, the results may be disastrous. An example of this is in this week’s Parsha. Korach, a prestigious Levite and a cousin to Moshe and …
Jun 07
Skewed Vision!
The Torah relates that as the Jews were on their journey towards the Land of Israel they requested that spies be sent to scout out the Land. 12 princes were chosen for the mission, one representing each of the tribes. Before they left, our leader Moshe gave them a list of instructions of what they …
May 30
Rabble-Rousers!
The Torah relates that after the Jews spent a bit less than a year’s time at Mount Sinai, G-d indicated to them to begin their travels toward the Land of Israel. While the Jews encamped, they dwelled in a specific format based on their tribes. So too, they traveled in a detailed sequence. When they …
May 24
Determined!
Yesterday was the 36th Yahrtzait of my maternal grandfather, Yehoshua Aaron Herzberg o.b.m. Fate had it that before and at the onset of WWII he was living in Paris and for a while was able to send food packages to his family back home in Warsaw, Poland. Sadly, all his eight siblings and their families …
May 18
Payment! – Shavuos and its Meaning!
Traditionally, the Book of Ruth is read during the Holiday of Shavuos. There are a number of reasons offered. One reason is that King David was born and died on Shavuos, thus it is fittings that the Book of Ruth which provides us with the lineage of David, should be read. Another reason is so …
May 10
Sleep!
The Torah teaches us what trust in G-d is all about. The Torah commands that in the Shemitta – Sabbatical year – a land owner in the Land of Israel must, in effect, relinquish ownership of his land every seventh year. He is forbidden to productively work the field and to conduct commerce with its …