Article
Barriers to Freedom – and Passover
Freedom from physical slavery is the first exodus. Then comes freedom from psychological enslavement. Passover shows us how to break loose from our mental chains. During the 30 days leading up to Passover, it is customary to prepare ourselves both physically and spiritually for the holiday. Physically, by cleaning our Read more
Article
It’s not Freedom – It’s Cherut!
Passover is NOT the time of our FREEDOM – it’s the time of our CHERUT. What’s the difference? In almost all English translations of the Passover Hagaddah we call Pesach, the “Season of our Freedom” (Zman Cherutaynu). And we declare “… it is our duty to thank and praise … Read more
Torah & News
Korona, Ukraine, Koincidence?
Who started it, and who can stop the plagues and war? This week we begin reading the book of Leviticus, or VaYikra in Hebrew וַיִּקְרָא. In Hebrew, the 5 books of the Torah are named after the first meaningful word in the book. Here is how Leviticus starts: וַיִּקְרָא אֶל־מֹשֶׁה Read more
Torah & News
The Golden Calf and the Truckers’ Convoy in Canada
Supporting the “Cause” – Are there lessons from the Golden Calf episode that we can apply to the Truckers Convoy? WARNING: I’m not comparing the Golden Calf worshipers to the Truckers.. read to the end. This week’s Torah Portion, Ki Tisa ( Exodus 30:11-34:35) begins with God instructing each male Read more
Article
Surviving Exile – Joseph’s Secret
Joseph rose to the highest rank in Pharoah’s palace and became Egypt’s number one citizen. Yet in spite of that he remained true to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Here are some paraphrased words from one of my teachers, Rabbi Ze’ev Leff about how Joseph and his brothers Read more
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Jacob’s Secret Weapon against Esau
Jacob’s secret weapons in his Battle with Esav Esav had threatened to kill Yaakov after Yaakov received the blessings from his father Yitzchak. So on his mother Rivka’s advice, Yaakov fled the country to Laban’s home where he married Leah, Rachel, Bilhah and Zilpah. Yaakov amassed a fortune and eleven Read more
Article
Sarah: A woman of valor
There is a Jewish tradition for men to sing “A Woman of Valor” (Proverbs 31:10-31) to their wives just before making Kiddush over the wine and breaking bread at the Friday night Shabbat meal. It sings the praises of the Jewish woman. Tradition also says that it was based on Read more
News
Dealing with the enemy like Abraham
Each of the Patriarchs represents a different character trait we strive to emulate. Avraham represents “Chesed” – “loving-kindness.” This manifests itself in performing selfless acts with a focus on helping others. This week’s Torah portion, VaYera (Genesis 18:1 – 23:20) continues with the saga of Avraham’s life and introduces us Read more
Article
I will bless those who bless you!
THE BLESSINGS OF ISRAEL This Shabbat we read the Torah portion about Abraham and the Promised Land. (Genesis 12:1-3) וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־אַבְרָ֔ם לֶךְ־לְךָ֛ מֵאַרְצְךָ֥ וּמִמּֽוֹלַדְתְּךָ֖ וּמִבֵּ֣ית אָבִ֑יךָ אֶל־הָאָ֖רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר אַרְאֶֽךָּ׃ וְאֶֽעֶשְׂךָ֙ לְג֣וֹי גָּד֔וֹל וַאֲבָ֣רֶכְךָ֔ וַאֲגַדְּלָ֖ה שְׁמֶ֑ךָ וֶהְיֵ֖ה בְּרָכָֽה׃ וַאֲבָֽרְכָה֙ מְבָ֣רְכֶ֔יךָ וּמְקַלֶּלְךָ֖ אָאֹ֑ר וְנִבְרְכ֣וּ בְךָ֔ כֹּ֖ל מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת הָאֲדָמָֽה׃ 1. And God Read more