by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Aug 13, 2021 | Lifeline
The traditional naming of the five books and the weekly readings in the Torah is done by simply using the first uncommon word of the book or reading. This week’s reading, though, is aptly named, for it begins with Shoftim, judges, and many of the 41 Commandments...
by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Aug 6, 2021 | Lifeline
Our reading this week begins, “See I have placed before you today blessing and curse. The blessing, if you listen to the Commandments of Hashem your G-d, which I have Commanded you this day. And the curse, if you will not listen to the Commandments of Hashem...
by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Jul 2, 2021 | Lifeline
What can one person accomplish against a mob? This question is sadly relevant today, and this week’s parsha (reading) provides the answer. At the end of last week’s reading, after the evil prophet Bilaam failed to curse the Jews, he advised the Midianite...
by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | May 14, 2021 | Lifeline
This Shabbos we will read the first words of Bamidbar, the Book of Numbers. Then, on Sunday night, we will celebrate the holiday of Shavuos, the time of the giving of the Torah. The holiday is called Shavuos in the Torah, literally “weeks,” as the Torah...
by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | May 7, 2021 | Lifeline
The second of our two readings this week is Bechukosai: “If you will go in my decrees, and guard my commandments, and do them” [Lev. 26:3]. A decree is something that government, or in this case HaShem [G-d] in the Torah, tells us to do, which we are...
