by Rabbi Shaps | May 12, 2023 | Behar Bechukosai
If you have been to Israel lately you know that it is full of hustle and bustle and the landscape is beautiful with trees and many fields full of all types of crops. Yet, it was not always that way. In 1867, Mark Twain took a trip to the Holy Land. He later reported...
by Rabbi Shaps | Apr 9, 2023 | Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Weekly Parsha
We have all heard the expression Charity begins at home. We may also be familiar with the levels of responsibility in giving charity. It starts with those closest to us, our family and then extends to our community, our city, Jews across the world and the rest of the...
by Rabbi Shaps | Mar 23, 2023 | Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Weekly Parsha
Heard about a good political scandal lately? Unfortunately, there is no shortage ofexamples. If we look at many of these situations, I would suggest that in most cases, ifthe individual had come out right away on his own and said “I was wrong”, the scandalwould have...
by Rabbi Shaps | Feb 23, 2023 | Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Weekly Parsha
Many years ago, when my wife, Lauren ran NCSY Ottawa, I recall going to programs and hearing a particular cheer. When someone would get up to speak, the kids would say “You look so beautiful, as usual, inside and outside, especially...
by Rabbi Shaps | Jan 27, 2023 | Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Weekly Parsha
One of the most famous sections of the Hagaddah is the questions of the Four Sons. Each one has a different question and answer, yet it is not so easy to differentiate between the Wicked Son and the others. On the surface his question seems to be reasonable. Yet, we...
