by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Jun 19, 2026 | Lifeline
Analogies are a frequently used educational tool, because they are easily understood and internalized. Just say “toe is to foot as finger is to hand,” and a young child now knows that the appendages attached to the foot are called toes. Mathematically, the...
by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Jun 5, 2026 | Lifeline
The Torah tells us this week that “the man Moshe was more humble than any man” [Numbers 12:3]. When does the Torah tell us this? When his brother and sister, Aaron and Miriam, speak poorly of him. Moshe had separated from his wife due to his constant need...
by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | May 29, 2026 | Lifeline
In this week’s reading we learn about the inaugural offerings brought in the Tabernacle in the desert. Each of the tribes of Israel was given a day on which its leader would bring an offering. The tribes were told to come in a specific order, based upon the four flags...
by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | May 18, 2026 | Lifeline
No one quite expected the President of the United States to call upon Jews to observe Shabbos. But he did! In his proclamation in honor of Jewish American Heritage Month, President Trump wrote: In special honor of 250 glorious years of American independence and on the...
by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | May 8, 2026 | Lifeline
In this week’s reading, Hashem tells us to lend money to others when they are in need. This is in addition to giving charity; it is a separate obligation, applicable to those who do not need outright gifts, but temporary help to meet the needs of the moment....
by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Apr 17, 2026 | Lifeline
This week we read about the Metzorah, who was afflicted with a spiritual type of leprosy. Our Sages teach that a person got this disease because of the sin of lashon hora, gossiping. What is so harmful about a bit of gossip, that a person got a punishment requiring...
