In this week’s Torah reading we have an interesting mitzvah (commandment). The Torah instructs us (30:19) to choose life. What does it mean to choose life? By nature, every human […]
Every seven years, during the Holy Temple era, the king would get up on a platform and read a number of sections from the Torah which contain various commandments and […]
In this week’s Torah reading, Abraham was visited by three angels disguised as humans. Assuming them to be ordinary guests, Abraham ran to prepare a lavish meal for them. In […]
Parshas Nitzavim is a direct continuation from the end of Parshas Ki Savo, which we read last week. The main theme of Ki Savo was the Tochacha, the Admonition, in which Moses describes, in very […]
As Rosh Hashana is next week, and many of us are planning our menus and cooking in advance, I thought it would be best to post the Rosh Hashana Sweets […]
An Oorah Holiday Guide Oorah’s “10 Minute” Guides are designed to help you “find your way around” the Yomim Tovim that mark the Jewish year. Our heritage is rich with […]
This great free printable simanim card from Oorah is sure to enhance your Rosh Hashanah table.
Because You Did Not Serve Him with Happiness This week’s Torah reading warns us of terrible curses which the Jewish Nation can potentially suffer. What might one do to deserve […]
A Frightening Judgement Look around you on Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur as the powerful, frightening piyut (liturgical poem) of Unetaneh Tokef is sung during the Mussaf prayer. This awe-inspiring section depicts […]
First we need the big picture. Then we probe individually. Rosh Hashana is the forest. Yom Kippur is each tree. How do our actions differ, From the goals Hashem (God) […]
Botched Plans “Failure to plan on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine,” has new meaning to me. We, Baruch Hashem (thank God), had a simcha (happy occasion) […]
One Mitzvah Leads to Another In this week’s Torah reading, we have the mitzvah (commandment) of Shiluach Haken, sending away the mother bird before taking her eggs or chicks, which […]
I know, I know. The month of Elul should inspire awe and fear. I have heard stories of people in previous generations who would tremble when Rosh Chodesh Elul (the approach […]
Advice from an Ant The Midrash (Parshat Shoftim 5:2) quotes a pasuk from Mishlei (6:6-8), “Go to the ant, you lazy one, observe its ways and become wise…. It prepares […]
Ask the Rabbi with Rabbi Chaim Mintz I see many people washing their hands three times with a cup next to their beds when they wake up in the morning, […]
Keeping kosher can seem daunting, but there are resources here to guide you! Kosher.com, a popular blog featuring delicious kosher recipes, offers a wealth of information for anyone curious about […]
A Judge in Your Days The verse in this week’s Torah reading, Parshat Shoftim, says (Devarim 17:9) that if one requires a ruling in Torah law, you should go to […]
