by Rabbi Altonaga | Sep 15, 2022 | Danielle Altonaga, Weekly Parsha
In this week’s Torah portion, Ki Tavo, Moses instructs the people of Israel: When you enter the land that G‑d is giving to you as your eternal heritage, and you settle it and cultivate it, bring the first-ripened fruits (bikkurim) of your orchard to the Holy Temple,...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Sep 10, 2022 | Uncategorized
If you build a new house, you shall make a fence for your roof. (Devarim 22:8) This Mitzvah seems pretty straightforward. Flat roofs were common and people used their roofs in various ways. In such a case, it is an obligation to build a fence so that no one...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Aug 25, 2022 | Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Re'eh, Weekly Parsha
President Biden has announced a plan to reduce and, in some cases, totally forgive student loans. Now, without getting into the politics of this decision as a government policy instituted in this way, it’s worth noting, as Jews, that this very week’s Torah portion...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Jul 29, 2022 | Mattos, Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Weekly Parsha
How do you become a self made man? Is it all about personal motivation and always striving forward? Is it about having a goal that you constantly focus on? The rags to riches story captures our imagination. We want to hear stories about visionaries who have made their...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Jul 8, 2022 | Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Weekly Parsha
Have you ever done a trust fall? It’s when you stand straight up with your eyes closed. Then while still in standing position you lean back slowly until you fall backwards. Then you trust that your friend(s) just behind you catch you before you plummet to the...
