by Rabbi Altonaga | May 14, 2026 | Bamidbar, Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Weekly Parsha
One death is a tragedy, a million is a statistic. – Joseph Stalin A poignant and chilling statement (especially given the source). More so because it strikes so true. Most people barely notice when tens of thousands die in conflicts in Sudan or...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Apr 16, 2026 | Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Tazria-Metzora, Weekly Parsha
This week’s Torah portion (Tazria-Metzora) gives us the mitzvah of circumcision and tells us that it should be done on the eighth day after a boy is born. We saw the idea of the eighth day being significant recently at our Passover Seders. Towards the end of the...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Mar 31, 2026 | Pesach, Rabbi Michael Altonaga
At the beginning of Passover, we tell our children: בַּעֲב֣וּר זֶ֗ה עָשָׂ֤ה יְהֹוָה֙ לִ֔י בְּצֵאתִ֖י מִמִּצְרָֽיִם׃ Because of this, Hashem did for me and took me out of Egypt. Exodus 13:8 The simple meaning is as an explanation for the Seder. Hashem took us out...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Mar 26, 2026 | Pesach, Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Shabbos
This Shabbos is Shabbos HaGadol. The Big Shabbos. The Shabbos before Pesach. Many families have already “turned over” their homes to be completely clean for the holiday. Some people have been working tirelessly all week vacuuming, scrubbing, and...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Feb 27, 2026 | Purim, Rabbi Michael Altonaga
This Monday evening, we begin the holiday of Purim. That night, we read the Megillah of Esther. The story of Purim. This gives us a picture of the historical realities of the time and a greater understanding of why we celebrate the holiday. The...
