by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Mar 15, 2013 | Lifeline
Believe it or not, this week’s message was not inspired by the fact that the Catholic Church has chosen a new Pope; it just offers a convenient contrast. As you probably know, there is, in their beliefs, a doctrine of papal infallibility. When the Pope teaches...
by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Mar 1, 2013 | Lifeline
When it came to constructing the Tabernacle, everyone was invited to contribute as much as he wanted. Since not everyone has the same financial portfolio, it’s obvious that some people ended up giving more than others. In fact, we are told that the leaders of...
by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Feb 15, 2013 | Lifeline
In this week’s reading, the Jewish nation is commanded to give the materials necessary to construct the Mishkan, the Tabernacle, and all the items within it. Unlike the annual contribution of a half-Shekel to the continuing operations of the Tabernacle and...
by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Feb 1, 2013 | Lifeline
Throughout Jewish literature, we find a recurring theme: G-d communicates with us, but in hidden (though sometimes not so hidden) ways. Only once in history did G-d reveal himself bluntly and openly, and declare “I am the L-rd Your G-d” — it is our...
by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Jan 11, 2013 | Lifeline
When the Chofetz Chaim himself, the saintly Rabbi Yisrael Meyer Kagan, was bemoaning how people were losing their faith and attachment to Judaism, it was the Rosh Mesivta (high school principal) who helped him feel better. The principal pointed out that even back in...
