I n this week’s parsha of Chukas, Bamidbar chapter 20 is divided into four sections. •Verses 1–6 describe the death of Miriam and the complaint of lack of water which comes in … more

We had just come in from manning an impromptu roadblock all day and I was still on edge. Six of us had been tasked with setting up the roadblock round a bend in the road in Lebanon’s Bekaa … more

Since this is almost my sixth (yikes!) year writing this column, I’ve run out of amusing July 4th stories. So, instead I decided to do some research on Independence Day. Sure, we may celebrate … more

Our parasha begins with the 16th chapter of Sefer Bamidbar. It tells the story of Korach and his followers, and their rebellion against G-d and His Torah, Moshe, and Aharon. There are countless … more

One of America’s premier Jewish publishers, Feldheim Publishers, recently reissued, in a revised edition, its famed “Tehillim Eis Ratzon and Aneni: Zichron Yocheved,” all in one … more

Sometimes, the most powerful experiences are the ones you least expect. Such was the case on a recent trip to Poland. Tucked in between our visits to the Lodz Ghetto in the morning and the Warsaw … more

Gamal Abdel Nasser and Osama bin Laden must be turning in their graves. The decision by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain to sever links with Qatar over its pro-Iranian … more

Many years ago, an elderly man approached me following a lecture on the topic of Emunat Chachamim (the faith we are meant to have in our sages). “Do you know why I am no longer … more

There are many synagogues whose names begin with the word anshei (Anshei Emes, Anshei Shalom, Anshei Chesed, Anshei Emunah). There are also Anshei synagogues named for individuals, families, or … more

T he beginning of our parasha , Shelach, offered the possibility of the immediate implementation of Judaism’s ultimate goals: Moshe would have been the Mashiach who led our people into Eretz … more