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May 08

With a Smile!

The Torah instructs us that when one slaughters a Kosher bird or free-ranging animal, such as a deer, he must cover its blood with dirt. This Mitzvah is called Kisui Hadam and a blessing is recited before performing this mitzvah. There are a number of reasons given why this Mitzvah only pertains to these two …

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May 02

Unwritten Book!

Our Portion is called Acharei Mos – ‘After the death,’ because it begins after the death of the two sons of Aaron who died during the inauguration service of the Temple. The Torah then details the elaborate service the Kohain Godol (Aaron) was to perform on Yom Kippur. In general, people seek to understand the …

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Apr 27

Priorities!

Israeli journalist, Sivan Rahav-Meir recently wrote about a group of Israeli teenagers who were finalists in an international competition of robotics in Houston, Texas. Their team consisted of students from the Amit High School in Modi’in and had succeeded in reaching the final stage of the competition which was held on Shabbat. They wrote a …

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Apr 28

It’s Mine!

Today has been designated as Yom Hashoah – Holocaust Remembrance Day – which marks the 77th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. I would like to focus on how Jews in Auschwitz and in other concentration camps displayed their devotion to G-d, to their religion, and their fellow Jews. Zalman Kleinman, an Auschwitz survivor, testified …

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Apr 22

Mixtures!

This week we read two portions of the Torah, the second portion is called Kedoshim – holy ones. G-d instructs us to be holy – to separate ourselves from sinning. If the definition of holiness were left to the individual to decide there would be no conformity in families and communities. Everyone would choose his …

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Apr 29

Phone Conversations!

I learned a few things from my phone conversations this week: I called an old acquaintance of mine to offer condolence upon the passing of his father, Rabbi Avrohom Simcha Steinberg. I didn’t know his father personally but would see him from time to time and his ever present smile stood out along with a …

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May 02

Tomorrow is…

This Shabbos, before the Mussaf service, we will bless the new month of Iyar and announce that Rosh Chodesh will be Sunday and Monday. When Rosh Chodesh falls out on a Sunday a special Haftorah which opens with the words, “Tomorrow is the Chodesh,” is read. Before describing what the Haftorah deals with, an introduction …

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Sep 27

Fake ID

(Torah Portion Acharai Mos) Fake ID The City of Vilna was shocked! The husband of a young bride had vanished leaving no indication of his whereabouts. Thus, his wife became an Agunah, unable to remarry until credible information about his death was received, or until he appeared to give his wife a Get – Jewish …

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Sep 27

A Unique Partnership

(Torah Portion Acharai Mos/Kedoshim) A Unique Partnership The Talmud relates that there are three partners in the development of a human being; his mother, his father, and G-d. Parents contribute the physical parts while G-d infuses life and the soul. Ben Yehoyada brings a fascinating insight into the Hebrew word for a person – Adam. …

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Sep 27

Clock on the Wall

(Torah Portion Acharai Mos/Kedoshim) Clock on the Wall Love within a relationship can at times be complex. Yet the Torah instructs us, “Love your neighbor like yourself,” placing an extraordinary demand on us. How can we possibly reach such a lofty ideal? The Talmud records a conversation between a potential convert to Judaism and Hillel …

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