by Rabbi Altonaga | Feb 20, 2025 | Mishpatim, Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Weekly Parsha
The word “charity” does not exist in Hebrew. So what is it called when people give money to the needy? It is called “tzedaka.” This more literally translates to “righteousness.” What is the difference between charity and...
by Elisha Guberman | Feb 13, 2025 | Elisha Guberman, Israel, Weekly Parsha, Yisro
Imagine walking into a store and seeing a beautiful suit on display. It looks perfect, just your style, and you wish you could have it. But what if you had to buy the entire wardrobe—every shirt, every pair of shoes, even the things you don’t like—just to get that one...
by Rabbi Shaps | Feb 6, 2025 | Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Weekly Parsha
The phrase “Manna from Heaven” is often used to describe an unexpected gift or a sudden stroke of good fortune. But is that truly what Manna was? In reality, the Manna provided to the Jewish people in the desert was not just a one-time gift; it was a daily...
by Danielle Altonaga | Jan 30, 2025 | Danielle Altonaga, Weekly Parsha
I’ve always held warm memories of my childhood Passover Seders. My family would drive to New York before the holiday, and grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins gathered at a big table. My Bubby’s homemade matzah balls, lots of singing and laughter, and that sense...
by Yiska Guberman | Jan 23, 2025 | Vayera, Weekly Parsha, Yiska Guberman
The journey toward geula (redemption) has always been filled with challenges, complexities, and moments of doubt. This reality is powerfully illustrated in the transition between Parshat Shemot and Parshat Va’era, where we see the tension between human...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Jan 16, 2025 | Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Shemos, Uncategorized, Weekly Parsha
I remember when I first started wearing a kipa/yarmulke. I had started getting more into Judaism before that, but still it was a big step. When I decided to stop eating pork, that was a mitzvah between me and G-d. It could be that no one else would...
by Elisha Guberman | Jan 9, 2025 | Uncategorized
As Yaakov Avinu prepares to leave this world, he asks his sons to bury him in Eretz Yisrael, ensuring that his final resting place reflects the eternal bond between the Jewish people and their homeland. Yaakov’s strong demand from his son, to make sure he...
by Rabbi Shaps | Jan 2, 2025 | Uncategorized
In our daily interactions, when someone thanks us for a favor, we often respond with phrases like, “It’s not a big deal,” or “It was nothing.” Similarly, when someone apologizes for having wronged us, our reflex might be to say, “There’s nothing to apologize for,” or...
by Danielle Altonaga | Dec 26, 2024 | Chanukah, Danielle Altonaga
L’ilui Nishmas Avraham ben Chaim Reuven By: Danielle Altonaga and Adam Miller We are all familiar with the famous Chanukah story. There was only enough oil to last for one day, yet it lasted for eight – the Chanukah Miracle! But wait, why do...
by Yiska Guberman | Dec 19, 2024 | Vayeishev, Weekly Parsha, Yiska Guberman
Parashat Vayeishev begins with the words: “And Jacob dwelt in the land of his father’s sojournings, in the land of Canaan” (Genesis 37:1). After years of wandering, hardships, and trials, Jacob sought to finally rest and live in peace. However,...
