by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Oct 20, 2017 | Lifeline
What on earth — or perhaps, off earth — did Nimrod and his followers think they could accomplish? How could building a tower enable them to “make war against G-d?” [Rashi to 11:1] Not only is the idea nonsensical, but they contradicted themselves:...
by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Sep 15, 2017 | Lifeline
It is not in Heaven, such that one could say ‘who will go up to Heaven and take it for us’… For this matter is very close to you, in your mouth and in your heart, to do it” [30:12, 14]. At first glance Torah observance can seem daunting, filled...
by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Aug 24, 2017 | Lifeline
In this week’s reading, we are told “you shall be ‘simple’ with Hashem your G-d” [Deut. 18:13]. As you might suspect, “simple” is a very incomplete translation of “Tamim,” which also means pure and unsullied. Our...
by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Jul 28, 2017 | Lifeline
The Ninth of Av, which this year begins on Monday evening, is a national day of mourning for the Jewish people. 3329 years ago, we mourned needlessly on this day, responding to the report of the spies that we would be unable to overcome the Canaanites and move into...
by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Jul 14, 2017 | Lifeline
In this week’s reading, Moshe begins the transfer of Jewish leadership to his closest disciple, Yehoshua (Joshua). He “stands him before Elazar the High Priest and the entire congregation” [27:22], in accordance with G-d’s Commandment that he...
