In September 2010, BBC, Reuters, and other news agencies reported on a sensational scientific discovery. Researchers at the US National Center for Atmospheric Research and the University of Colorado … more

This week on the Jewish calendar, we commemorated the breaching of the Old City walls of Jerusalem by the Roman Tenth Legion on the 17th day of Tammuz in the year 70 C.E., heralding the beginning of the end of the Jewish Second Commonwealth, and the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash. As we gaze upon the ruins of those walls, we will fast, and some of us will even cry, remembering how 2000 years ago, the peaceful streets were filled with the triumphant cheers of Roman legionnaires bent on our destruction. more

Our parasha, LechLecha, contains the sole instances of the specific phrase, “lebrit olam,” (“as an everlasting covenant,”) that appear in Chamisha Chumshei Torah (the Five … more

‘Then Moses sang’ This week’s Torah portion, Bershalach (Ex. 15:1), begins, “Az Yashir Moshe” (usually translated “Then Moses sang,” though literally … more

As we begin the fourth book of the Torah, we embark on a journey, along with the Israelites who are leaving Sinai after having been there for 11 months. Not only does the focus of the … more

The most celebrated pasuk in our parasha, Terumah, is, “And they shall make Me a sanctuary (Mikdash) and I will dwell in their midst” (Shemot 25:8). It is followed by a great many verses … more

Jewish history is a series of encounters with evil rulers. Pharaoh, whom we have been reading about up until this week’s Torah portion of Beshalach, was just the first tyrant who persecuted us. … more

By Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of November 27 2009/ 10 Cheshvan 5770 Before they went out of style, mother-in-law jokes were very popular. Have you ever heard of a father-in-law joke? I have not, … more

Purim by Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of February 26, 2010/ 12 Adar 5770 As more evidence continues to indicate the assassination of a Hamas leader in Dubai was a project of the Mossad, the … more

Priorities; sometimes, we need to take a step back and appreciate the things that are really important in life, if for no other reason than the opportunity it affords us to take note of the things that occupy so much of our time that really aren’t so important…. more