by Rabbi Altonaga | Oct 7, 2022 | Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Sukkot
Moishe is driving in Jerusalem. He’s late for a meeting and looking for a parking space but can’t find one. In desperation, he turns his face upwards and says, “Lord, if you find me a parking space, I promise that I’ll eat...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Sep 22, 2022 | Nitzavim, Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Weekly Parsha
In this week’s Torah portion, it says: …I have placed life and death before you, blessing and curse, and you should choose life, so that you will live… Devarim 30:19 What kind of commandment is that? Would we have thought that death was the better option? Why...
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...
