I noticed the jeep in the distance almost immediately; it was impossible to miss. We were on maneuvers deep in the Negev desert, and there was nothing around but us. Sure enough, 20 minutes … more

Elul is the time to intensify and enhance righteous behavior in the individual and in society, thus creating an opening for emunah and yir’at shamayim Elul is the time to intensify and … more

The phrase, “aleh hamitzvot (these are the commandments),” appears twice in the Torah, in the concluding pasukim of Sefer Vayikra and Parashat Masei. Vayikra 27:34: … more

Karet: a separation from the community By Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of March 13, 2009 / 17 Adar 5769 Of all Torah portions, Ki Tisa has the largest number of mitzvot that include a … more

I recently overheard two fathers of teenagers comparing their approaches to their sons’ shul attendance on Sundays and other “days off.” One of them came to me afterwards to discuss his related concerns about “texting on Shabbos.” With a little insight from Parshat Vayishlach, perhaps there is a simple answer to both questions. I accept that I may be hopelessly naïve. But the stand I propose at the end of this will not be, if followed, what turns your children away from Judaism. Much bigger issues bring about such a result. Having said that, let us see how we can find parenting-inspiration from our forefather Yaakov. more

After her blatant anti-Semitism was exposed to the world, Helen Thomas became persona non grata in much of the Jewish community, so much so that when she passed away, some Facebook feeds were lit up … more

Sunday is Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. Any serious student of history will recognize that there are moments, all too rare, when a door stands open, waiting for a person, a people, or … more

When I was studying for my doctorate in psychology, we had a number of fairly strict requiarements in addition to our courses in psychology. For example, we were expected to possess a reading … more

This sedra, Tzav, speaking about sacrifices, prohibits the eating of blood: “Wherever you live, you must not eat the blood of any bird … more

Parashat Tazria contains a pasuk that references the mitzvah of brit milah: “And on the eighth day, the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.” (Sefer Vayikra 12:3)  At … more