by Rabbi Altonaga | Sep 6, 2024 | Elisha Guberman, Shoftim, Weekly Parsha
Once again, the Parsha delivers the most relevant message of the week. In this Parsha, Shoftim, the Torah outlines the laws regarding exemptions from going to war. Specifically, three categories of people are excused: someone who has built a new house and not yet...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Aug 30, 2024 | Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Re'eh, Weekly Parsha
A Canadian court order recently came out that prevented a law from coming into effect. That law, might have effectively put an end to Jewish kosher meat production in Canada (without affecting the meat production of any other group, I might add). Thanks to...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Aug 9, 2024 | Bamidbar, Lauren Shaps, Tisha B'Av, Weekly Parsha
Here we are. Over 300 days since the atrocities of October 7. 115 hostages still captive in Gaza, 41 confirmed murdered in Gaza. 116 living hostages rescued and 24 bodies recovered. Here we are in the midst of the 9 Days, on the cusp of Tisha B’Av, with Iran and their...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Aug 2, 2024 | Mattos, Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Weekly Parsha
You told him you’d go volunteer at the food bank together today, but you just don’t feel like going out anymore. Does it really matter if you just don’t show up? Just because you said it, doesn’t mean you have a real obligation to do it, right? Words are...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Jul 26, 2024 | Pinchas, Weekly Parsha, Yiska Guberman
Parshat Pinchas brings us together with a story of female power. The story of the daughters of Zelophehad takes place in the desert at the time of Hashem’s commandment to Moshe to divide the land into inheritances for each household in Am Israel. Zelophehad,...
