אֵיכָה יָשְׁבָה בָדָד, הָעִיר רַבָּתִי עָם--הָיְתָה, כְּאַלְמָנָה; רַבָּתִי בַגּוֹיִם, שָׂרָתִי בַּמְּדִינוֹת--הָיְתָה, לָמַס - Alas, how is it possible that she dwells alone, the city (J’lem) that was so full of people has become like a widow! She was great amongst the nations, a princess amongst...
In the first of this week’s parshios, Parshas Matos, as the nation prepares to cross the Jordan River and enter into the Holy Land, the Torah records, in great detail, the account of the Israelite war against the Midianite nation. As they prepare for battle,...
It’s been a while since I sent out a recipe (which is sort of an indication of how much cooking I do in the summer months!), but here is a great keeper of a recipe. It’s fast and easy to make, lasts in the fridge...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Pinchas, we learn of the Bnos Tzelafchad, the five daughters of Tzelafchad, who desired a portion in the Land, as their father died without leaving sons. וַתִּקְרַבְנָה בְּנוֹת צְלָפְחָד, בֶּן-חֵפֶר בֶּן-גִּלְעָד בֶּן-מָכִיר בֶּן-מְנַשֶּׁה, לְמִשְׁפְּחֹת, מְנַשֶּׁה בֶן-יוֹסֵף; וְאֵלֶּה, שְׁמוֹת בְּנֹתָיו--מַחְלָה נֹעָה, וְחָגְלָה...
In this week’s fascinating parsha, Parshas Balak, we meet Bila’am the monotheist (as he is called by R’ Samson Rafael Hirsch), Bila’am the masterful hypocrite (as he is called by R’ Yisrael Meir Lau), Bila’am the prophet (as he is called by the Sages) -...
This week’s parsha, Parshas Chukas, opens as we learn the laws regarding the parah adumah, the red heifer. A perfectly red cow is taken [in Temple times], slaughtered outside of the camp, and its ashes are used for purifying one who has become tamei meis,...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Korach, we learn of the rebellion of Korach and his congregation, as they hope to overthrow the leadership of Moshe and Aharon. The rebellion stems from Korach’s jealousy of his first cousins: Moshe is the king, Aharon the High Priest,...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Shelach, we read of the Twelve Scouts who went to investigate the holy land of Eretz Yisrael, prior to the ascent of the Israelites into the Land. They walked the land for forty days, scouting out her length and width…...
At the end of this week’s action packed parsha, Parshas Beha’aloscha, the Torah tells us that Miriam and Aharon spoke questionable, negative words about their brother, Moshe Rabbeinu. Rashi tells us that they spoke about Moshe separating from his wife, for hadn’t Hashem spoken to...
Fruit dessert or chocolate dessert….? I’m the fruit person over chocolate any day. I made this fruit crisp for parsha class this morning - and served it fresh out of the oven, still warm - and the women enjoyed it very much. Hence, I am...