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, Ekev, contains one of the pivotal verses of the entire Torah regarding the concept of blessings: “Ve’achalta’ ve’sava’ta’ u’verachta’ et Hashem Elokecha al ha’aretz hatovah asher natan lach.” “And (when) you shall eat and be satisfied and bless G-d your G-d for the good land which He has given you.” (Devarim (Deuteronomy) 8:10) more

The first chapter and a half that begins Parshat Eikev contains what we might describe as the opposite formula of the “Tokhachot/Rebukes” that appear in Bechukotai and Ki Tavo. In those cases, an ideal is put forth, which is subsequently dwarfed by the enormity of the rebuke which follows it. In our parsha, the ideal eclipses the possible bad. more

There are no records dating back to the time of the invention of the shoe. There are just assumptions based on primitive cave paintings. But you can be sure a lot has changed since then. Today the average woman owns 19 pairs of shoes and the average man, 7. more

At our house, the summer thus far has revolved around packing and unpacking. Our suitcases and duffel bags are dug out of the basement and then hidden away again. They have been used and abused and look it. more

According to the teachings of Rav Kook, while most blessings are of rabbinic origin, one of the most popular ones is to be found in this week’s parsha, Eikev, the Grace After Meals - Birkat HaMazon. more

To the Editor: Orthodox Rabbis in the Five Towns urge their followers to cancel subscriptions to The New York Times. In the opinion of these Jewish leaders, The Times, in an effort to promote its liberal agenda, editorializes, rather than reports, the news. This practice of literally coloring the news in an effort to promote its agenda now seems to resonate with The Five Towns Jewish Times as well. more

In an interview with the Huffington Post last week, Reid cites an anonymous Bain investor to report that Mitt Romney hasn’t paid any taxes for the past ten years. What PROOF? (Is proof important?) The next day Reid doubled down, repeating the charge to Nevada papers and on the floor of the Senate. more

There probably is no better known statement that reveals racism in America than the phrase that begins, “Some of my best friends are …,” with the blank filled in with “Jews,” “blacks,” or some other such qualifier. It reeks of a closet bigot’s desperate attempt to backpedal on a comment or position regarding the inserted group that exposes him for what he really is. 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

One of the more fascinating narratives in the Torah is the one surrounding the fate of Moshe, the great leader, and his passionate effort to gain entry into the Promised Land. In last week’s parsha he seemed to imply that the episode of the spies doomed him to the same fate as the entire generation (Devarim 1:37). more