by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | May 6, 2011 | Lifeline
Our Torah portion this week contains what, at first reading, could seem to be a draconian or even primitive decree: "eye for eye, tooth for tooth" [Leviticus 24:20]. Yet nowhere in Jewish tradition is this understood according to how it might be read without...
by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Aug 13, 2010 | Lifeline
In this week’s Torah reading, Parshas Shoftim in Deuteronomy, Israel is commanded to have judges and officers, those who maintain both justice and order. A judge in particular is required to be entirely unbiased, and not to accept ‘Shochad’, usually...
by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Oct 30, 2009 | Lifeline
There is a very interesting Medrash connected to this week’s reading. The Medrash tells us that after Avraham circumcised himself, many people came to convert and join the Jewish People. The Bais HaLevi, Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveitchik zt”l of Brisk, asks:...
by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Jul 19, 2009 | What's happening
Herschel Boehm, owner of Baltimore’s famous Seven Mile Market, has supported Project Genesis for several years. This year he equaled last year’s generosity — which would be noteworthy in any year, but especially in this economy. It means a great deal...
by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Dec 15, 2006 | Lifeline, What's happening
HAPPY CHANUKAH! (Otherwise known as Chanuka, Hanukkah, Hannuka, Hanukah, and the Festival of Lights.) Don’t miss our amazing Chanukah section, complete with all sorts of resources and our famous On-Line Menorah! COMING THIS SUNDAY: If you’re in the...
