Whenever I come across the word "v'nikhrita" (and he/she/they will be cut off from the Jewish people) in the Torah, I marvel over where such a notion stands in the 21st century world that defines how we live. more

This past week marked the passing of one of the greatest sages of our era, HaRav Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg, zt”l. In his memory I will begin this week’s essay with a dvar Torah written by him and published some years ago. more

This responds to the letter of Michael Brenner entitled “Obama, AIPAC and Iran” which was published in the March 23rd edition of The Jewish Star. In the letter, it is contended that President Obama solidly supports Israel. I disagree, and believe that support is nothing but a mirage. more

Listen closely. Do you hear that faint singing? No, it’s not the neighborhood Chazzan practicing his favorite holiday nusach in preparation for Pesach. Listen closer, what you hear is the proverbial fat lady signaling that Mitt Romney will be the Republican candidate for president. more

It has been more than a decade since the May 2001 issue of the American Pediatrics Association’s journal Pediatrics was published. more

Why does pre-Pesach preparation put me in as bad a mood as a doctor’s appointment? Why does this beautiful holiday give me a headache? more

One of my favorite Shabbat foods growing up was potato kugel. Not the type that most people make today. I'm talking about hand grated, pan-fried and flipped, crisp on both sides, mouth watering kugel. more

There is a darkness sometimes that rages within which can overpower our very being… I had a Battalion commander, who took the first watch on the tank after a brutal day in the Lebanon war. It was the third night of fighting, and the men by now were near exhaustion. more

One of the most unique and informative books ever published explaining the whys and wherefores of mitzvoth is a comprehensive and in-depth guide entitled, ”The Encyclopedia of the Taryag Mitzvot” edited by Rabbi Dovid Wax. more

The third book of the Torah begins with Moshe being called by God from the Ohel Moed (Tent of Meeting, a.k.a the Mishkan/Tabernacle). While for us readers it is not unique for Moshe to be called, there is something strikingly odd about Moshe being the only one who is called. more