by Yiska Guberman | Nov 15, 2024 | Vayera, Weekly Parsha, Yiska Guberman
In Parshat Vayera, one of the most touching and miraculous moments comes when three visitors—angels in disguise—arrive to deliver divine messages to Avraham and Sarah. These visitors bring Sarah the news that, despite her advanced age, she will bear a son, Yitzchak....
by Rabbi Shaps | Nov 7, 2024 | Lech Lecha, Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Weekly Parsha
You are a star! When we want to compliment someone and tell them they are great, we refer to them as a star. We use the term star to refer to someone who excels at something and is special. What is it about a star that stands out? A view of the bright star cluster NGC...
by Elisha Guberman | Nov 1, 2024 | Elisha Guberman, Israel, Noach, Weekly Parsha
In Parshat Noach, we encounter a world consumed by “chamas” – a society overcome by violence and corruption, where people exploited and harmed each other without remorse. The situation had become so dire that Hashem brought the mabul, a flood intended to cleanse...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Oct 22, 2024 | Rabbi Michael Altonaga, V'Zos HaBracha, Weekly Parsha
The Maharil Diskin (a great rabbi in Russia and later Jerusalem in the 1800s) was walking down the street with a student and casually mentioned the number of leaves on a tree that they were passing. The student was in awe at his seemingly supernatural ability to...
by Danielle Altonaga | Oct 16, 2024 | Danielle Altonaga, Sukkot
How a shattered door made me rethink everything It was just before Sukkot. I was staying alone at home, while the rest of my family was away. I was feeling pretty good on my own, and enjoying the quiet time. I came downstairs, and I froze… The door leading to...
by Yiska Guberman | Oct 11, 2024 | High Holidays, Yiska Guberman, Yom Kippur
Based on an Idea from Rav Eyal Vered The Gemara in Masechet Taanit (30b) says: “There were no happier days for Israel than Yom Kippur and the 15th of Av.” Yom Kippur is considered a day of celebration for the Jewish people, not only as a day of forgiveness...
by Elisha Guberman | Sep 27, 2024 | Elisha Guberman, Nitzavim-Vayelech, Weekly Parsha
In this week’s Parsha of Nitzavim-Vayelech, we encounter a powerful message about the connection between our inner selves, our relationship with the land of Israel, and the process of Teshuva (repentance). The phrase “circumcise your heart” which is mentioned in the...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Sep 26, 2024 | Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Rosh Hashana
Why is Rosh Hashanah before Yom Kippur? On Rosh Hashanah, we are judged, and a verdict is decreed for how our coming year will go. On Yom Kippur, we do tchuva (return to G-d) and we are forgiven for our transgressions. Our Sages tell us that on Yom...
by Rabbi Shaps | Sep 20, 2024 | Ki Savo, Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Weekly Parsha
Who is wealthy? The one who rejoices in his portion. This saying is one of the more famous ones contained in Pirkei Avos – Ethics of the Fathers. It is important to note the terminology used. The root Hebrew word is Simcha. The one who rejoices. It would seem that...
by Yiska Guberman | Sep 6, 2024 | Shoftim, Weekly Parsha, Yiska Guberman
Once again, the Parsha delivers the most relevant message of the week. In this Parsha, Shoftim, the Torah outlines the laws regarding exemptions from going to war. Specifically, three categories of people are excused: someone who has built a new house and not yet...
