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...
by Rabbi Shaps | Aug 11, 2022 | Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Weekly Parsha
Your health is the most important thing. We hear and say this statement quite often. But is it really true? Why is good health so important? It sounds like a ridiculous question. Without your health, you are limited in what you can do and in your quality of life. If...
by Rabbi Shaps | Jul 21, 2022 | Prayer, Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Weekly Parsha
By my count, I have said the weekday Shemoneh Esrei prayer more than 45,000 times. That is FORTY FIVE THOUSAND TIMES. I know it by heart and can recite this very long prayer without paying attention. Therein lies the problem. I should be concentrating on the words and...
