There are seven instances in the Torah when a tally of army-aged males is given to us. Twice they are rounded to “600,000 foot soldiers” (Shmot 12:37 and Bamidbar 11:21). more

In what will be one of this season’s most popular commentaries, Rabbi Moshe Weinberger of Congregation Aish Kodesh in Woodmere has written a translation of Rav Avraham Yitzchak Kook’s “Orot Teshuvah.” Entitled “Song of Teshuvah Volume One” [Penina – Urim Press, 2011] this new work is the result of over seven years of a shiur that Rabbi Weinberger gave on Friday mornings at his shul. more

Considering that America was the home of the cocoa bean, chocolate arrived relatively late to the American colonies, in about 1775. Not long after in 1765, Dr. James Baker and John Hannon set up a chocolate factory. It is claimed to be the first chocolate factory in the United States.  Today it is known as Baker’s German Sweet Chocolate. more

This week’s review will focus on a very interesting anthology of rabbinic insights and practical advice for daily living. It was compiled by a Woodmere native, born and bred on the South Shore. more

On Nov. 18, 1995, Itzhak Perlman, the violinist, came on stage to give a concert at Lincoln Center in New York City. Anyone who has ever been to a Perlman concert, knows that getting on stage is no small achievement for him, having been stricken with polio as a child, with braces on both legs and walking with the aid of two crutches. more

Learning by example and anecdote is a surefire way to get a lesson’s message through. In his just-completed series of commentary on the Chumash, “Unlocking The Torah Text: An … more

In an interviewed by Chris Wallace on Fox News on Sunday, Speaker of the House John Boehner explained why he kept news about his invite to Prime Minister Netanyahu a secret until the last possible … more

The untimely passing of Elie Wiesel, z”l, a month ago prompts this week’s sheloshim tribute that is based on several hespeds (eulogies) by those who knew him best. I will focus on the … more

Everyone knows that the Bris Milah, the Covenant of Circumcision, dates back to the covenant forged between G-d and Abraham, covering chapter 17 of Bereshit. … more

When describing the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire that accompanied the Israelites out of Egypt, the Torah tells us that the cloud did not leave during the day and the fire did not leave at … more