Tag: Devorim

Tug!

My siblings and I are currently in the 12-month state of mourning over the loss of our dear father. When one loses a close relative, in the initial stages, the mourning process starts off intensely. Relatives involved in the arrangements are exempt from davening or reciting blessings until the burial. During this time, one does …

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Awesomely Good!

This past Wednesday, during the Holiday of Simchas Torah, we completed the Torah – the Written Law – also known as the five books of Moshe. Because Moshe was chosen by G-d to teach the Jewish people, G-d’s Torah is attributed to Moshe. Following G-d’s Revelation on Mount Sinai, Moshe ascended to the Heavens for …

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How!

The other night I woke up in middle of the night and could not fall back asleep. There was something on my mind. That day I received the sad news that Zelig Terebelo, a high school friend, passed away suddenly. He was the most kind, happy and chilled person. Mind you, I hadn’t seen him …

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A Tranquil World!

This Shabbos we begin reading the fifth book of the Torah – Devorim / Deuteronomy. Our Sages call this Book, Mishne Torah – the repetition of Torah – for our leader Moshe, 37 days before his death, taught the Jewish people many new laws and also repeated laws that were previously written. G-d instructed Moshe …

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10, 17 and 9!

According to our calendar year, the Hebrew date for this Shabbos is the ninth of Av – Tisha B’Av. Tisha B’Av is synonymous with our mourning over the destruction of our Temples. However, when it coincides with the holy day of Shabbos, our enjoyment of the delicious Shabbos treats and foods trumps the fasting of …

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Phantom of the Word

(Torah Portion Devorim) Phantom of the Word The fifth book of the Torah is called Devorim – Words, which refers to the words of encouragement, direction, blessings and reprimand that Moshe delicately and expressively offered to the Jewish people at the end of his life. We are currently in the period of mourning over the …

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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 …

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Hugs!

(Torah Portion Devorim) Hugs! We are now in the nine day period of mourning the destruction of our Temples. This period is also the time to recall other calamities, and pogroms including the Holocaust that befell our nation. I would like to share a few stories told by American liberators of the concentration camps. My …

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We Are One!

(Torah Portion Devorim) We Are One! There are three defining characteristics of a Jew; they are compassionate, self-conscious and perform acts of loving kindnesses. As we are glued to the news regarding the developments in our brethren’s war with Hamas, we are astonished and amazed by the way Israel is conducting themselves in the midst …

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Hello!

(Torah Portion Devorim) Hello!  Last week’s Parsha detailed the names of the forty-two places where the Jews camped from the time of their exodus from Egypt until they entered the land of Israel. How did the areas in the deserted desert get their names? The answer is that these names were given by Moshe, with …

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