Anyone following politics in Israel over the past few months, and especially the campaigns for Knesset mandates, saw the true face of Israel’s complicated internal predicament. To those outside of Israel’s daily life, its story is one of existentialism because of an ever-looming threat from seemingly trigger-happy neighbors. more

This week’s portion, Tetzaveh, opens with a particular mitzvah which seems at first glance to be rather out of place: Hashem tells Moshe: “Ve’Atah Te’tzaveh Et B’nei Yisrael, Ve’Yikchu’ Eilecha’ Shemen Zayit Zach- Katit La’Ma’or – Le’Ha’alot Ner Tamid.” “And you shall command the children of Israel, and they shall take to youpure olive oil which was crushed for the light, to raise up a continuous [daily] flame” (Exodus 27:20) more

In a recent essay Rabbi Daniel Rose wrote the following that will serve as the keynote to this week’s essay: “These days of Purim,” the Book of Esther says, “should be remembered and celebrated.” On the Shabbos before Purim, we read about the Torah’s instructions that we never forget the cowardly attacks of Amalek, the primordial nemesis of the Jewish people. “Remember,”…..This Shabbat is called Shabbat Zachor – the Shabbat of remembering. more

I don’t care very much to compare women and men simply because I think the comparison isn’t fair. Human we all are, but other than the obvious physical differences, I believe that the natural differences that come from being different genders make comparisons ill-conceived. It’s almost like comparing a tennis player to a soccer player, wondering which is a better athlete. more

By the time you read this column it will probably be T-minus 2 days to Purim. Are you panicking yet? Have your shaloach manot been packed? Your Seudah shopping completed? Your costumes picked out? Back in the day, I don’t remember any panicking. Shaloach manot consisted of a few different pieces of elegant cakes, placed in pretty little colored paper cups and a fruit placed in the middle of the plate. more

Don’t fight Jewish students’ battles To the Editor: Neither Kenneth Ryesky’s letter nor Bayla Brenner’s article addressed the substance of the Brooklyn College controversy or offered any meaningful solution to the issue of BDS on campus. more

The fourteenth century poet, John Lyndgate, famously wrote an axiom about one’s inability to please all people all the time. Though this quote is often attributed to President Abraham Lincoln, its roots are much older; older even than Lyndgate in the 1300s. As it turns out, Megillat Esther sends the same message, and this idea frustrates people, like me, who try to make everyone happy. more

Our Moms made a cake, there were bowls of pop corn, potato chips and some type of candy. An over the top party might have had crepe-paper streamers, balloons and maybe even pizza. more

Just as I was thawing out from the last cold spell of single digit temps, along with no heat due to frozen pipes, bam, we get hit with another bout of Arctic air and snow to go with it. more

Dedicated to the sacred memories of my mother, Miriam Tovah bat Aharon Hakohen, father-in-law, Levi ben Yitzhak, sister-in-law, Ruchama Rivka Sondra, sister, Shulamit bat Menachem, Shifra bat Chaim Alter, and Yehonatan Binyamin ben Mordechai Meir Halevi, and the refuah shlaimah of Yosef Shmuel ben Miriam and Moshe Reuven ben Chaya. more