Everyone Gave Something

This week, we read the special Torah portion of Shekalim, commemorating the annual half-Shekel donation that every person was obligated to give to support the ongoing needs of the Holy Temple. This special reading, which precedes the New Month of Adar (II), is in...

Pure Lights

Chanuka is far behind us, but the image of the pure, burning lights of the Menorah are marked in my memory. The image of simple, gently flickering lamps of oil projects a sense of serenity, that all is at peace. But think, for a moment, about the tumultuous past...

Clean Charity

In this week’s reading, G-d tells Moses that the people should take a Terumah, an offering, for Him. It is a good time to speak about the importance of giving charity, especially in support of Torah learning, synagogues, schools and yeshivos which help us, as...