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Dec 07

Everyone Counts!

Recently, the results of an election for City Council in a small town in Washington State was determined by only one vote! It gets even better. When the loser was interviewed he said he had personally declined to cast a ballot for himself, stating that would’ve been “’Narcissistic’; I felt like it was stacking the …

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Dec 15

No Way!

When I was in Pre-1A, we put on a play during a school assembly around Chanukah time. The play was called ‘Chana and her seven children,” a tragic episode of faith and martyrdom that is recorded in the Talmud. I am still not sure why this tragic story was chosen to be enacted by 5-6-year …

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Nov 25

Thanks!

Americans are celebrating Thanksgiving. That the citizens of the United States of America voluntarily offer thanksgiving to G-d for their freedom and the benevolent services offered by individuals and government speaks volumes about the wonderful country we live in. As Jews, offering thanksgiving is nothing new. We don’t have to look beyond our title, Jews, …

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Dec 09

Miracles!

The Torah relates that Yosef was sold as a slave to Potifar, the head butcher of the Pharoh. Yosef was very handsome and Zelaicha, his master’s wife, continually tried to get his attention. However, the Torah attests that Yosef remained holy and pure. The Torah relates that one day Zelaicha entrapped Yosef to sleep with …

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Dec 16

Extraordinary!

The Torah portion relates the story of Yosef dreaming that he would rule over his brothers. Feeling that his dreams were prophetic, he shared them with his brothers. His brothers did not perceive them as prophetic and felt that the content of the dreams reflected Yosef’s interest in ruling over them. They also were upset …

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Nov 29

Ascend or Descend!

With Chanukah quickly approaching, I want to share a profound idea presented by Rabbi Mendel Weinbach o.b.m. which expands and illuminates Chanukah and its rituals. There is an interesting debate in the Talmud between the Sages of Bais Hillel and Bais Shamai whether we start Chanukah with one candle on our Menorah and add a …

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Sep 26

The Rest of the Story

(Torah Portion Vayaishev) The Rest of the Story This week’s Portion deals almost entirely with the life events of Yosef / Joseph. Yosef was the first child born to Rachel and the eleventh son born to Yaacov. Yosef had an especially close relationship with his father. He looked the same as his father, and their …

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Sep 26

Homecoming

(Torah Portion Vayaishev) Homecoming! The Torah relates an unsettling story. Yosef’s brothers sold him as a slave to a caravan of passing merchants. To conceal Yosef’s whereabouts from their father Yaacov, the brothers dipped his special cloak in goat’s blood and presented it to him when they returned home. Yaacov deduced that Yosef was devoured …

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Sep 26

Judaica

(Torah Portion Vayaishev) Judaica If one takes a look around an ordinary Jewish home, he is sure to notice some type of Judaica or memorabilia displayed. Some of the more obvious ones are: the Mezzuza affixed to the doorpost, Shabbat candlesticks, a Kiddush Cup, a Chanukah Menorah, a Shofar, Yarmulkas, Prayer books, Books on Torah …

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Sep 26

Moms Cooking

(Torah Portion Vayaishev) Mom’s Cooking Greetings from the beautiful and Holy City of Jerusalem! Came to attend the Bris of our grandson Yissachar Dov – Dovy! I am quite sure that everyone has heard of ‘Joseph’s multicolored coat.’ I would like to discuss what it was all about. The Torah tells us that our forefather …

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