Parsha Tazria-Metzorah by Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of April 16, 2010/ 2 Iyur, 5770 This second week after Pesach always carries with it a cycle of emotions. Between the return to … more

August 6, 2010/ 26 Av, 5770 Who is the most desperate, destitute member of the Jewish society? It’s a loaded question and there is no correct answer. Unless you specify from whose perspective. … more

In Avraham’s relationship with the Almighty, their connection is described in different ways in the Torah. In the beginning of Lekh Lekha, He is “Hashem who appeared to him” … more

Like many other meforshim (Torah commentators), the second Bobover Rebbe, HaRav Ben-Zion Halberstam zatzal, analyzed the term Shabbat Hagadol. He began his quest for understanding with … more

I wondered what it was like for Yitzchak and Rivkah to bare their souls before the Almighty in their hopes of having a child. Yitzchak pleaded with G-d opposite his wife (or perhaps, as Rashbam … more

The American Declaration of Independence speaks of the inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Recently, following the pioneering work of Martin Seligman, founder of … more

What is the power of a hug? Sometimes it’s all about the context. Recently, someone sent me a story regarding a fellow named Yankel, a survivor of Auschwitz who began his journey there … more

In 1897, Theodore Herzl convened the first Zionist Congress in Basel, Switzerland. Though he defined himself as a secular Jew to whom Judaism was just an afterthought he gave form to a 2000 year old dream: the longing of the Jewish people to return home to the land of Israel. more

When we encounter the parshas of Tazria and Metzora, our thoughts typically run to lashon hara (speech that brings people down), which is argued by the Talmud (Arakhin 15-16) to be the main impetus … more

Eli Wiesel describes one of the most painful moments he ever experienced as a push from behind. Shouting, chaos, dogs barking and attacking, SS guards with guns shouting commands in German which … more