At the end of this week’s parsha, Parshas Noach, we meet Avraham Avinu, the father of the Umah Yisraelis, the Jewish nation. Avraham Avinu, who was tested with ten tests and passed them all. From the flames of Nimrod’s fiery furnace to the Binding of...
Sefer Bereishis, Parshas Bereishis, In the Beginning Hashem Created… When we closed the book of Devarim on Simchas Torah, we left Moshe atop Mt. Nevo, we left the Israelite nation poised to cross the Jordan River under the tutelage of Yehoshua, and we left forty years...
As we prepare for the Yom Tov of Succos, this soup will provide a wonderful addition to your Yom Tov (or anytime!) table. When I made it this past Sunday, two of my sisters-in-law tasted the soup. They both gave it rave reviews and I’m...
Moshe then calls to Yehoshua - who will lead the nation after Moshe’s demise - and encourages him as well: חֲזַק וֶאֱמָץ--כִּי אַתָּה תָּבוֹא אֶת-הָעָם הַזֶּה, אֶל-הָאָרֶץ - Be strong and courageous, for you shall come with this people to the Land…(see Devarim 31:1-7). Moshe speaks...
We are now hours away from the Yom Ha’Din, the awesome Day of Judgement, Rosh HaShana 5776. It is interesting to consider the different names for our New Year: ראש השנה - The New Year; literally The Head of the Year. I heard a beautiful insight last...
As we have a custom to eat fish on Rosh HaShanah - may we be like the head and not the tail; may we be fruitful and multiply like fish - and as we have a custom to eat foods with honey on Rosh HaShanah...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Ki Savo, the Torah tells us that when we will be blessed, Hashem will put us לְרֹאשׁ, וְלֹא לְזָנָב, וְהָיִיתָ רַק לְמַעְלָה, וְלֹא תִהְיֶה לְמָטָּה - for the head and not for the tail, we shall be only above and...
This week’s Dvar Torah is dedicated to my dear son, Yitzchak Yonatan, who came up with the title for the post: “The Weapon of Friendship.” At the end of this week’s Parsha, Parshas Ki Seitzei, the Torah records that Amalek attacked us when we were leaving...
R’ Simcha Bumin of Peshischa explains that with the double lashon, the Torah is teaching us that we must pursue righteousness by means of righteousness, by ways of tzidkus and yashrus, just and straight paths. For one who wants to cling to holiness must do...
I served these muffins for the first time at Parsha class this week and they met with rave reviews. Moist, chocolatey, and satisfying, yet baked with healthier ingredients…What’s not to like? Double Chocolate Banana Muffins Pre-heat oven to 375*. In a large bowl, mix together: 1 1/2 c....