Rabbi Menachem Recanati, the 13th century Italian commentator, quotes the Zohar in making what is seemingly a bizarre claim — that until Avraham was circumcised, he was never intimate with … more

Allah Hu Akbar [G-d is great].” These are the final words witnesses say the terrorist screamed before ramming his car into a crowd, killing three month old Chaya Zissel and wounding several … more

The Yazidi people fleeing into the cold cruel mountains of Iraq to avoid massacre; hundreds of thousands of Kurds running across the borders into Turkey and Jordan to escape beheadings and mass rape … more

When we are introduced to Noach at the beginning of the parsha, Rashi notes that his being called a tzaddik (righteous man) “in his generation” could be interpreted either … more

For several decades, Israel’s enemies have actively and willfully defamed the Jewish state by comparing its actions to the atrocities committed by the worst villains in recent … more

In one of his Yom Kippur addresses, Rabbi Joseph Hertz expressed that “Avinu Malkeinu Chatanu L’fanekha” is the prayer most reflective of our Yom Kippur goals. In it, we recognize a few very important truths about our relationship with G-d, and about ourselves. more

Yom HaKippurim: The day of atonement. That is how we usually translate it, but is that what it really means? I heard a remarkable story this summer, in the midst of all the fighting in Gaza, … more

“This day G-d commands you to fulfill [all the laws], and you should do them with all your heart, and with all your soul.” (26:16) The Midrash Tanaim jumps on the classic interpretation (see also Tanchuma 1) that when Moshe says “This day” with reference to mitzvah observance, he is noting that any demonstration of following the Torah creates a visual for G-d as if the Jewish people have accepted the Torah on that day. more

Teaching in the old city of Jerusalem, one develops a certain awareness of the different types of people who can wander in off the street. Many of the people who frequent the old alleyways and ancient stones of Jerusalem are incredible people with incredible stories. But every once in a while you can get real characters walking through your door. more

I remember the look of shock on his face like it was yesterday. It was, I believe, the summer of 1984, and we were on patrol in Beirut. Technically, the Lebanese stores were off limits to us and we weren’t even supposed to go into them, but it was a really hot day, and we were really thirsty, so, using “initiative in the field,” a couple of us went in to a market to get a couple of six-packs of Coke for the guys. more