by Elisha Guberman | Jun 19, 2025 | Elisha Guberman, Israel, Shelach, Weekly Parsha
In Parshat Shlach, we read the painful story of the meraglim — the twelve scouts sent by Moshe to get a better feel about life in the Land of Israel. Ten of them return with a terrifying report. They speak of mighty giants, fortified cities, and an impossible mission....
by Yiska Guberman | Jun 12, 2025 | Bahalosecha, Weekly Parsha, Yiska Guberman
Parashat Beha’alotcha opens with the lighting of the menorah—a surprising choice, given that most Temple-related service is detailed in the book of Vayikra. Why emphasize this mitzvah here? The menorah represents the inner fire, the vitality and energy within a...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Jun 6, 2025 | Naso, Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Weekly Parsha
My eldest son heard a recording of his voice and thought my phone was broken. “That’s not what my voice sounds like!” he exclaimed, in the exact same tone of voice that had just emanated from the device. It’s an interesting phenomenon that we don’t...
by Rabbi Shaps | May 29, 2025 | Bamidbar, Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Weekly Parsha
With the recent visit of King Charles to Ottawa, one naturally begins to think about lineage and ancestry. We can almost picture the long line of Kings and Queens that date back hundreds of years. Royalty and titles are inherited, not necessarily earned. Yet, ancestry...
by Elisha Guberman | May 21, 2025 | Behar Bechukosai, Elisha Guberman, Weekly Parsha
This week, we read a double Parsha: Behar-Bechukotai—and it’s the second parsha, Bechukotai, that is very special. Not only because it’s my Bar Mitzvah Parsha, but also because it brings Sefer Vayikra to a dramatic and meaningful close. Among the...
by Danielle Altonaga | May 16, 2025 | Danielle Altonaga, Emor, Weekly Parsha
When I was in grade 6, I was delighted to be accepted into a special arts program for grades 7 and 8. In addition to the unique classes, we had the privilege of going on exciting field trips, such as to the theatre, the orchestra, and art exhibits. We got to...
by Yiska Guberman | May 8, 2025 | Acharei Mos Kedoshim, Weekly Parsha, Yiska Guberman
This Shabbat, we read two parshiyot that are connected: Acharei Mot and Kedoshim.Parshat Acharei Mot begins by noting that these words were spoken “after the death of Aaron’s two sons,” Nadav and Avihu, who died when they came too close to God – a tragic...
by Rabbi Altonaga | May 1, 2025 | Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Tazria, Weekly Parsha
At NASA, when an endeavour is unsuccessful, they don’t call it failure, they call it “an early attempt.” There are two sides of this coin that make it such an effective methodology. 1. Wallowing in failure never helped anyone. If you let...
by Rabbi Shaps | Apr 24, 2025 | Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Shemini, Weekly Parsha
“With friends like these, who needs enemies?” We’ve all heard that saying. The pain inflicted by someone we trust as a friend can cut much deeper because our guard is down. When dealing with an obvious enemy, we remain vigilant, ensuring they don’t harm us. The...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Apr 18, 2025 | Passover, Pesach, Rabbi Michael Altonaga
At the beginning of Passover, we told our children: בַּעֲב֣וּר זֶ֗ה עָשָׂ֤ה יְהֹוָה֙ לִ֔י בְּצֵאתִ֖י מִמִּצְרָֽיִם׃ … …because of this, Hashem did for me and took me out of Egypt. -Shemos 13:8 The simple reading is that this is an explanation for the...
