We now find ourselves in the Aseres Yimei Teshuva, the Ten Days of Repentance, which began on 1 Tishrei, Rosh Hashana, and end with the setting of the sun on 10 Tishrei, Yom Ha’Kippurim, the Day of Atonement. These ten days are a time of introspection,...
Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, is upon us. The final days of 5780 are fleeting, as 5781 enters. Jews the world over will observe the upcoming Days of Judgement with awe and trepidation, as the King of all kings sits upon His throne of...
Parshios Nitzavim-Vayelech: The final Shabbos of Elul and 5780. The transition from the old year into the new. Final lessons from the life of Moshe Rabbeinu, as we approach the conclusion of the book of Devarim. Reflecting on the past year as we move into...
This week’s parsha, Parshas Ki Savo, opens with the mitzvah of Bikkurim, the bringing of the first fruits of the shivas ha’minim (Deut.8:8) up to the Temple. In a most beautiful and moving passage, the verses describe the process of the Bikkurim offering, as well...
Amongst the myriad of mitzvos outlined in this week’s parshas, Parshas Ki Seitzei, we are commanded regarding the punishment of lashes. The Torah tells us: When there will be a dispute between people, and they have recourse to judgement, and they judge them, and they...
It’s hard to believe that the year has passed, and that even with the COVID pandemic, R”L, time has not slowed down. Once again, Elul is here. 5780 is on its way out, and we will soon usher in 5781… Elul is a sobering time...
This week’s parsha, Parshas Re’eh, opens with: רְאֵה, אָנֹכִי נֹתֵן לִפְנֵיכֶם--הַיּוֹם: בְּרָכָה, וּקְלָלָה - See, I (Moshe) present before you today a blessing and a curse; אֶת-הַבְּרָכָה--אֲשֶׁר תִּשְׁמְעוּ, אֶל-מִצְות ה’ אלקיכֶם, אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מְצַוֶּה אֶתְכֶם, הַיּוֹם, The blessing that you listen to the commandments of Hashem,...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Eikev, the Torah warns us regarding the sin of avodah zarah (worshipping gods of others). The pasukim say: פְּסִילֵי אֱלֹהֵיהֶם, תִּשְׂרְפוּן בָּאֵשׁ; לֹא-תַחְמֹד כֶּסֶף וְזָהָב עֲלֵיהֶם, וְלָקַחְתָּ לָךְ--פֶּן תִּוָּקֵשׁ בּוֹ, כִּי תוֹעֲבַת ה’ אלקיךָ הוּא - The carved images of...
As Parshas Devarim is always read the Shabbos before Tisha B’Av, Parshas V’Eschanan is always read the Shabbos after Tisha B’Av. This Shabbos is also known as “Shabbos Nachamu”, the Sabbath of Consolation or Comfort, after the opening words of the Haftorah, נַחֲמוּ נַחֲמוּ, עַמִּי,...
I made this soup last week, as the Nine Days began. As the name indicates, everyone LOVED this soup! A couple of my children, who generally don’t want soup, agreed to taste one spoon (only to please their mother!) and then with sheepish smiles, they...