by Rabbi Altonaga | Feb 11, 2022 | Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Tetzaveh, Weekly Parsha
Possibly the most holy man there can be. A lofty position with significance even greater than the king in certain areas. The man who everyone sings about and focuses on on the holiest day of the year, Yom Kippur. The Kohen Gadol. The High Priest. The Torah describes...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Jan 21, 2022 | Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Weekly Parsha, Yisro
What is the single most important event in Jewish history? The event that changed the character of everything we carried out from that day forward? The event that gave birth to the most published book in human history? The Revelation at Sinai. It was the only time...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Dec 30, 2021 | Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Vayera, Weekly Parsha
Have you ever wanted, no, needed to tell someone that they are completely wrong and should change their ways? How do you tell them? There are a few verses in this week’s Torah portion about God’s instructions to Moses about what to say to Pharaoh....
by Rabbi Altonaga | Dec 10, 2021 | Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Vayigash, Weekly Parsha
Do you know something with such conviction that no argument can dissuade you? Are you so certain that you no longer need any supporting evidence? What would you do if you suddenly encountered something that flew completely in the face of that conviction?...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Nov 19, 2021 | Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Vayishlach, Weekly Parsha
I had an unusual opportunity as a baal tchuva (someone who became religious later in life) that I got to pick my own Hebrew name. I chose the name Yisrael. There is a lot of depth and meaning behind this name, but the verse that introduces the name for the...
