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...
by Elisha Guberman | Apr 8, 2025 | Elisha Guberman, Passover, Pesach
When we sit around the Seder table and bite into the crisp matzah, we often recall the classic explanation: “The dough of our ancestors did not have time to rise before God redeemed them.” This image of hurried departure, of last-minute scrambling, is...
by Yiska Guberman | Apr 3, 2025 | Passover, Pesach, Weekly Parsha, Yiska Guberman
Parshat Vayikra begins with an unusual detail in its very first word: “וַיִּקְרָא” (Vayikra—“And He called”). The aleph at the end of the word is written smaller than usual in the Torah. This seemingly minor scribal detail carries deep significance,...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Mar 28, 2025 | Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Weekly Parsha
When things don’t work out in your home, whose fault is it usually? What about when things aren’t going well at your job? In this week’s Torah portion, Pekudei, the Israelites put all their money, all of their labour, and all of their energy into building the...
by Rabbi Shaps | Mar 20, 2025 | Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Vayakel, Weekly Parsha
Research suggests that a healthy balance in relationships and interactions involves a ratio of 5 positive interactions for every 1 negative interaction. The idea, popularized by relationship researcher John Gottman, is that healthy relationships and...
