by Rabbi Elie Mischel | f 31, 2023 | Nitzavim, Prayer, Rosh Hashana
A fishing boat was once caught in a terrible storm. Unable to withstand the heavy rains and tempestuous waves, the boat capsized. Everyone on board drowned with the exception of two men who had managed to hold onto some floating wood. Fortunately, these two survivors...
by Rabbi Pesach Wolicki | f 30, 2023 | Ki Tavo
Towards the end of this week’s Torah portion, the portion of Ki Tavo (Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8), we find one of the darkest passages in the entire Bible. Fifty-four consecutive verses detail the harsh punishments that will befall the people of Israel should they turn...
by Rabbi Elie Mischel | f 28, 2023 | Ki Tavo, Shabbat
A few years ago, the concept of “Half Shabbat” became a hot topic in the Jewish world. This referred to Jewish Orthodox teenagers who were otherwise basically Sabbath observant but were texting each other on their smartphones in violation of the Sabbath. Dr. David...
by Rabbi Elie Mischel | f 27, 2023 | Ki Tavo, Kindness and Compassion, Rosh Hashana
Every year on Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) morning, Rabbi Yeshaya of Kerestier (Hungary, 1851 – 1925) would seclude himself in his study for about 10 minutes before the blowing of the Shofar (ram’s horn). One year, one of his followers, who was curious to see how...
by Rabbi Pesach Wolicki | f 24, 2023 | Ki Teitzei
The closing lines of the Torah portion of Ki Teitzei (Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19) deal with an old foe of the People of Israel – Amalek. Remember what Amalek perpetrated against you on the way when you were going out of Egypt. When they chanced upon you en route, struck...
by Mindy Rubenstein | f 23, 2023 | Repentance, Va'etchanan
Sixteen years ago, my husband and I–with our two toddlers–attended a beautiful Shabbat dinner with a rabbi and his family. Though I was born Jewish, I was brought up secular and had little connection to Judaism until then. At that meal I literally fell in...
