by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Apr 4, 2023 | Lifeline
The Passover Haggadah, which we read at the Seder, tells us about the many miracles that were done on behalf of the Jewish nation during their exodus from Egypt. It tells us that Hashem is watching over our nation and protecting us in every generation. And it also...
by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Feb 17, 2023 | Lifeline
The Torah’s 613 Mitzvos, Commandments, are divided into three basic categories: testimonies, statutes, and judgements. The last of these are civil laws which any society needs to survive—but these, too, are part of Torah. Our reading this week begins,...
by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Jan 19, 2023 | Lifeline
In this week’s reading, Moshe calls upon Pharoah to release the Jewish nation to worship in the desert, but “G-d said to Moshe, the heart of Pharoah is heavy, to release the people.” [Ex. 7:14] The Medrash explains Pharoah’s behavior with a...
by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Dec 2, 2022 | Lifeline
This week’s reading provides what seems, in an initial, superficial view, to be a romantic account. When Yaakov (Jacob) sees Rachel, he gains superhuman strength, single-handedly rolling away the cover of a well, a stone that ordinarily took a team of shepherds...
by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Oct 3, 2022 | Lifeline
In Psalm 130, there is a statement that requires explanation. “If G-d should preserve wrongdoing, HaShem, who will stand? Because forgiveness is with You, in order that You be revered.” [130:3-4] The first of these verses seems straightforward: since we...
