Dancing with Life
How could I possibly handle all these different emotions on top of the complexities of life? Easy,,,by dancing.
Redeeming Relevance: Parshat Ekev: Shema and all that Jazz
A musical perspective on Parshat Ekev...
The Lord Is My Shepherd – This Comforts Me
Throughout the perek, the navi describes the greatness of Hashem Yisbarach and His tender loving care and concern for His people, Klal Yisrael.
Preprogrammed For Greatness (Shabbos Nachamu)
When a man mounts a horse, the man may weigh 150 pounds, the horse more than 2,000. Yet the man commands the horse to ride, gallop, turn, and stop.
Can A Man Be Motzi A Woman?
The halacha is that even if a person has already fulfilled a mitzvah he can still be motzi another who has not yet fulfilled it.
The Parsha Experiement – Va’etchanan: Building an Intimate Relationship with God
In this week's parsha, Moses speaks, a lot - but it all seems so boring, and disconnected. The Torah is a book - and...
The Journey From The Refuge
Why, did Moses break out in song when he set aside Cities of Refuge for killers? It is curious this stimulated song, when the Shema, the retelling of Revelation and the 10 Statements did not?
Redeeming Relevance: Parshat Ve’etchanan: Why These Ten?
Understanding why these Ten Statements were chosen-as opposed to others omitted-could well lead us to a greater grasp of the essence of this venerable text.
Are We Teaching Yiras Shamayim?
If one approaches the issue with an open mind, the truth is incontrovertible. The world screams out that it was created.
The Parsha Experiment – Devarim: Finding Inspiration From Our Past
The message of Moses' speech before the Children of Israel entered the Promised land are still applicable and inspiring to us, today. Join us as we tackle the mystery of Moses' speech.
Minhagim Of Shabbos Tisha B’Av
If a person will not be fasting on Sunday for whatever reason, he should say havdalah on a cup prior to eating.
The Ventriloquist Lion
This strange equivalence between Hashem (the omnipotent King of kings) and a mere mortal monarch seems to imply that human beings are never really their own masters. They are always either the servants of Hashem or of Pharaoh.
The Book of Speech; Redeeming Relevance on Parshat Devarim
An obstacle to understanding Devarim is thinking of it as a book. Devarim literally means “[spoken] words” and should therefore be primarily considered in its 'orality'
Finding Our Way
Although the nation was excited about entering the Promised Land, first and foremost they were glad to be out of the clutches of their nefarious oppressors.
The Forgotten
These 3 weeks require us to remember the great events and those on the fringe of memory. Caring for the distant and the forgotten--people and memories--will bring the redemption and rebuilding of our Nation,
The Power Of Prayer
Any judgment becomes a balance – how much rachamim and how much din?
Shevua She’chal Bo
The sefer Harirai Kedem suggests a different understanding of the machlokes.
The Parsha Experiment – Matot-Masei: Israel’s Psychological Journey
The Torah is not just a list of laws and stories, So, how does the travel log in parshat Masei teach us some sort of timeless lesson?
Redeeming Relevance: Parshat Matot: Menashe — The Odd Man Out
Why did Moshe include part of Menashe together with Gad and Reuven in the Transjordanian settlement?
Shabbos Mevorchim Menachem Av
He implored the talmid to come up with a way he could return the money without implicating himself.
Parshat Pinchas
In politics as in business, the ability to deliver matters.
The Voice Inside
Being examined by a doctor was causing his patients to be nervous, and that was contributing to the rise in their blood pressure.
Pinchas: Intimacy and Holiness
In last week's parsha, it looks like the people finally began to trust in God. But now, suddenly, idolatry? What happened? How did the people fail so quickly?
Kana’im Pogim Bo
Pinchas fulfilled the halacha of kana’im pogim bo whereby a kana’i (zealot) is granted permission to kill people performing specific aveiros.
Redeeming Relevance: Parshat Pinchas: Midian, Moab and Yisrael
The fact it was specifically Midianite and Moabite women involved with Jewish men {Moshe and men involved with Ba'al Peor) shows that an existential bond existed between these nations and Israel.
Answering Mark Twain’s Question
It is only G-d’s Hand in guarding our continued existence and our dedication to Torah that has allowed us to endure.
Balak – What Is Israel’s National Mission?
For the first time in a while, the main characters of the parsha--Bilaam and Balak-- are NOT the people of Israel.
From The Top Up
Our worst enemy convinces us that we can only be led from the top, rather than recognize that a real leader lifts up each individual so that he can stand with him in the heavens
Through The Eyes Of History
How is it possible that anyone could see Pinchas as anything other than a hero?
Redeeming Relevance: Parshat Balak: The Perspective of Prophecy
Bilaam not only doesn't appear to be great, he seems to be base as well as foolish (outsmarted by his own donkey!). So how can the midrash claim he was really at least as great a prophet as Moshe?