A Hero of Hurricane Irene, of Blessed Memory
For most of us in the path of Hurricane Irene, the storm turned out to be a significant inconvenience, rather than a disaster. Not having power at home for four days was annoying, but hardly a tragedy. The same cannot be said for one family from Monsey. Moshe Yosef...
It’s Alive!
One could read through the Torah and believe that it's merely a record of events, or a book of stories. While the text is certainly in story form, its teachings continue to have eternal relevance. The Torah's story is relevant not merely as history, but as a guidebook...
Talent on Loan from G-d
This week's learning has been dedicated in loving memory of Chayim ben Yosef a"h, Herbert Schnider, and in honor of his wife, ylctv"a (may she live and be well) Miriam bas Moshe, Muriel Schnider, by Stuart, Elizabeth and their girls. In this week's reading, the Torah...
A Universal Message
The Jewish people have no monopoly on G-d and spirituality. In fact, Judaism's core desire is that the world perceive G-d's presence in their lives, and grow spiritually. What's curious then is the wording of what is arguably Judaism's most famous expression: "Shema...
Needless Love in Place of Hate
The Ninth of Av is nearly upon us -- the saddest day on the Jewish calendar, the date when both Temples were destroyed and many other tragedies occurred. The Rabbis teach that while the First Temple was destroyed because of immorality, the Second Temple was destroyed...
If You Pick Up the Phone, It Stops Ringing
During the 3 weeks from 17 Tammuz leading up to Tisha B'Av, the 9th of Av, the Jewish people mourn the loss of the Holy Temple. The Talmud attributes this loss to the prevalence of Sinas Chinam, baseless hatred, among the Jewish people. While hatred towards others is...
