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 Eliyahu Berkowitz | f 29, 2023 | Faith, Psalms
When your world is crumbling around you, when all you see is darkness, and when every prayer you offer seems to echo into an endless void—where is God? This is a question many of us have asked, and it’s a question the Psalmists asked thousands of years ago too,...
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 Eliyahu Berkowitz | f 27, 2023 | Israel, Psalms
In the small, dimly lit room of an Eastern European synagogue, a young boy sat captivated as his grandfather recited verses from the Book of Psalms. The words felt like ancient echoes reverberating through the walls, linking past and future. As his grandfather arrived...
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...
