This week’s Torah portion, Parshas Vayikra, discusses the different korbanos (offerings) that the Jews brought in the mishkan (tabernacle) as part of their service to G-d. Besides the daily offering, known as korban tamid, there were 3 optional and 2 obligatory offerings. The optional offerings were brought when one had the desire to show his […]
A couple of weeks ago, for the first time in 95 years, the Boston Red Sox clinched the World Series on their home turf at Fenway Park. Members of the “Red Sox Nation” were ecstatic (including myself, a lifelong Yankee-hater), not only because of the championship triumph, but also because it came after a disappointing […]
Imagine that your boss offers you an ideal opportunity. To burnish your skills and knowledge in your field, he offers to provide you with an all-expenses paid sabbatical to study under the undisputed leader/innovator in your field. To maximize the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, he’s undertaken to provide you with all your needs so you can apply […]
The concept of reward and punishment is part and parcel of life. From the moment we’re old enough to understand it, we’re faced with choices. If we listen to our parents and teachers and cooperate with our bosses we’ll be rewarded in some appropriate manner; if not, we’ll have to face the music. This motivation […]
The recent tragic events in Boston have left Americans with a myriad of feelings, thoughts and emotions. There was the initial shock of a terrorist attack on American soil, in a city saturated with American history and culture, and at an event that brings out the best in so many people. Then there was anger! […]
When we buy a new home or property, we are excited to own a new piece of land. “It is ours!” we exclaim. Owning real estate offers a certain degree of security; there is always something tangible to rely upon in times of financial difficulty. Or is there? The economic climate and natural disasters of […]
This week’s Torah portion, Acharei Mos-Kedoshim, states one of the most famous commandments in the Torah “Love your friend as much as you would love yourself.” The Talmud (Shabbos 31a) relates a fascinating incident about this commandment: A non-Jew approached Shammai, one of the great Talmudic sages with an unusual request: “I would like to […]
A fancy house… A cool car… Carnal pleasures… An exciting vacation… Designer clothes… The best doctors and hospitals… Power…. Information… Being popular… Admit it – these are all things you desire. And if you don’t, you are in the minority. Listen to the radio or social conversations. Look at any of a multitude of advertising […]
In this week’s double-feature Torah portion, Tazriah-Metzorah, we find the laws pertaining to a house afflicted with tzaraas, the spiritual equivalent of a modern-day mold infestation. The Torah says that if, after a thorough inspection of the premises, the Kohein (priest) determines that the growth on the walls of the house is indeed tzaraas, then […]