Erev Shabos Kodesh, Sefer Vayikra, Parshas Tzav, Shabos ha’Gadol. Sefer Vayikra, also known as Toras Kohanim, reads mostly like an instruction book to the kohanim regarding their service in the Sanctuary. In the words of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, “The laws of sacrifices that dominate the...
Here is another appetizing salad, perfect for your Yom Tov or Shabos table. It’s easy to put together, lovely to serve, and delicious to eat! It goes well with both dairy and meat meals, and is perfect for a Shabos lunch or seuda shlishis spread. Crunchy...
It’s been a while since I shared a recipe, and with Pesach coming, it's nice to have a fresh salad recipe. This is also a beautiful salad for a summer seuda shlishis. I have had people who insisted they do not like quinoa, and yet,...
In the first of this week’s parshios, Parshas Vayakhel, Moshe instructs the Israelites regarding Shabos, “For six days you shall work, and on the seventh day it shall be for you holy, a complete rest…” (Ex.35:2). Immediately after the command to keep Shabos, with which...
Purim 5775 אִישׁ יְהוּדִי, הָיָה בְּשׁוּשַׁן הַבִּירָה; וּשְׁמוֹ מָרְדֳּכַי, בֶּן יָאִיר בֶּן-שִׁמְעִי בֶּן-קִישׁ--אִישׁ יְמִינִי - There was a Yehudi man in the capital city of Shushan, whose name was Mordechai, the son of Yair, the son of Shim’i, the son of Kish, a man from the...
This week’s parsha, Parshas Tetzaveh, is replete with details and commands related to the fashioning of the priestly garments, which were worn by the kohanim when they served in the Sanctuary, as a symbol of honor and glory (Ex.28:2). One of the garments worn by the...
In this week’s Parsha, Parshas Terumah, we are commanded regarding the building of the Mishkan, the portable Sanctuary where G-d’s Presence was to dwell, as the Israelites sojourned through the desert. In the command to collect the materials for the construction of the Mishkan, the...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Mishpatim, the Torah says that “Six days you shall do your work and on the seventh day you shall rest” (Ex.23:12). In last week’s parsha, Parshas Yisro, we were already commanded regarding the Shabos, which is the fourth of the...
Yesterday was Tu B’Shvat. The New Year for Trees falls during the winter. All things considered, winter is an interesting season in which to celebrate this new year! Of all seasons, this seems the one least likely to be “tree-centered.” Spring - the blossoms, buds...
So often, we find ourselves caught between a rock and a hard place. Life is always good, and sometimes seemingly, not so good. If I go forward, well, it’s “into the sea” and if I go backward, well, it’s right into the arms of my...