Last year, I spent a week in Poland with Orayta, and had an experience I still cannot get out of my head. The wind was howling as we walked into the forest of Zvilitovska Gora, a suburb of Tarnow, … more

The haftarah of Chazon, the opening chapter of Yeshayahu, includes a message from G-d that is very hard to understnd. “Of what use are your many sacrifices to Me? says the L-rd. I am … more

Chazal’s name for the fourth book of the Torah is Sefer HaPekudim, the Book of the Counting. Little wonder, then, that it has been given the English title, “Numbers.” The … more

What motivates some people to do more than just appreciate the blessings they have in their lives and to actually be a vehicle for blessing? This week’s portion, Eikev, contains one of … more

This week’s portion, Terumah, introduces us to one of the most challenging concepts in Judaism. more

It is quite uncommon for the entirety of the Jewish people to agree about something. I would venture to bet that all of the Jews agree to the historical and national significance of the Land of Israel, but not all Jews agree as to the validity of the State of Israel (this disagreement is a shame). more

In the first Nissan month following the Exodus, the Torah tells us that the Israelites observed Passover, bringing the Korban Pesach (Paschal lamb offering) at its proper time (Chapter 9). The tale that follows is of a group of people, who were unable to participate in the Korban Pesach on account of their being in a state of tumah (a spiritual state of impurity). more

Achi!” “My brother!” These were the words that always greeted me when I got to the meeting point for reserve duty every year, and it was the most common word on everyone’s … more

The rules for appointing a king are followed by a few personal restrictions the Torah places on him: he must be an observant Jew with all that entails, and he may not have an excess of horses, … more

The very last of the vessels of the Mishkan is finally described in chapter 30, as we learn of the kiyor, the washbasin the kohanim were to utilize before involving themselves in the service of the … more