by Rabbi Shaps | Nov 3, 2023 | Vayera, Weekly Parsha
I can’t believe this could ever happen! Most of us have been saying these words again and again over the past few weeks. We couldn’t believe that Hamas could be so depraved as they massacred so many. We can’t believe how people are turning on Israel and defending...
by Rabbi Shaps | Oct 23, 2023 | Uncategorized
As Jews, we find it hard to understand why we are consistently persecuted and vilified. After all, we represent a tiny percentage of the world’s population. Israel is a tiny country and doesn’t even have oil. Why does anyone even care about what we do or say? The end...
by Rabbi Shaps | Oct 5, 2023 | Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Shemini Atzeres, Simchat Torah, Sukkot
Tonight, we begin Shemini Atzeres, the final day of the complete holiday season. We have truly experienced a beautiful and joyous Sukkos holiday. The weather has been amazing and it has been an absolute pleasure being able to sit in the Sukkah to eat, read,...
by Rabbi Shaps | Sep 7, 2023 | Nitzavim, Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Rosh Hashana, Weekly Parsha
A week from Sunday we will be hearing the sound of the Shofar on Rosh Hashanah. The likelihood is that the Baal Toke’a – the one who blows for the congregation, will blow again later that day for someone else who couldn’t come to shul. The JET Shofar blowing and...
by Rabbi Shaps | Aug 3, 2023 | Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Weekly Parsha
We are all familiar with the old adage. If you want to get to the next level, you have to work hard for it and even experience a little pain in order to make progress. Moshe tells the people that “Hashem fed you Manna in the desert in order to afflict you and to test...
