by Rabbi Yaakov Wolff | f 14, 2023 | Free Will, Freedom, Pinchas, Rosh Hashana
When I was ten years old, we took a drive from New Jersey to Baltimore. Along the way, we made a short stop in Philadelphia where we decided to explore Independence Hall, the US Mint, and, finally, the Liberty Bell. As we approached the iconic, cracked bell, I...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 11, 2023 | Pinchas
Our portion picks up where last week’s left off, in the aftermath of a plague. Phineas is blessed by God for his actions, and a new census of the people is taken. The brotherless daughters of Zelophehad appeal to Moses for a share in the land of Israel, and God...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 20, 2022 | Community, Covenant, Kindness and Compassion, Parenting, Pinchas
My children are growing up. Long gone are the hectic mornings of breakfast cereal and desperately packing school lunches. My older son, now grown and living on his own, has inherited the habit of drinking a big cup of coffee (or two) before tackling his day. Though he...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 19, 2022 | Covenant, Faith, God, Israel, Mourning, Pinchas, Redemption, Temple
I was walking past a bulletin board and saw the strangest notice: “I lost it. I don’t know what it is or where it is. I’ve never actually seen it. Some people say that it doesn’t belong to me but I really love it. Whatever it is.” This sounds strange but we do it all...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 18, 2022 | Justice, Leadership, Pinchas
It has happened to most of us; we do a great job, going above and beyond all expectations. Even more than that, we stand up when no one else was willing to. Our boss compliments us and gives us a certificate of appreciation. But the next week, when a new position in...
by Mordi Levi | f 22, 2021 | Community, God, Israel, Pinchas
After the plague which God sends to punish the Children of Israel for worshipping Baal-peor (Numbers 25), God instructs Moses to count all of the Israelite men aged 20 and up. They are counted by tribe according to their ancestral houses (Numbers 26:2). After the...
