Many years ago, when I was in high school, I gave someone a loan. It was not a large loan, …
Thoughts on Parshat Tetzaveh – 5776
I am often amazed at the different types of olive oil that are available in stores today. There are different …
Thoughts for Parshat Mishpatim – 5776
When one observes a fellow in need of help, there is a natural tendency to offer assistance. If, however, one …
Thoughts for Parshat Va’era 5776
In this week’s Parsha, we read the first seven plagues that smote Egypt. Regarding the second plague, tzefarde’ah, frogs, we …
Thoughts on Parshat Shemot – 5776
Moshe’s revelation at the burning bush is quite well-known. At second glance, however, this revelation seems unnecessary. In other situations, …
Thoughts on Parshat Vayigash – 5776
When a person casually asks, “How are you?”, they are usually just being polite. They are not really interested in …
A Missed Opportunity: Thoughts on Parshat Vayishlach – 5776
We see in this week’s Torah portion that Yaakov is very frightened of Esav. But this fear doesn’t paralyze him. …
Thoughts on Parshat Vayetzei – 5776
Every time that I read this week’s Torah portion, there is one particular event that makes a strong impression on …
Parshat Shoftim – 5775
In this week’s Parsha, Parshat Shoftim, we find the prohibition against unnecessary waste, known as “baal tashchis,” which translates as “do …
Thoughts for Parshat Devarim & Tisha B’Av – 5775
There are two occasions in this week’s readings that the trop (the tune the Torah is read with) changes: one …