by Rabbi Shaps | Oct 8, 2026 | Breishis, Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Weekly Parsha
The first offerings to Hashem were brought by Kayin and Hevel (Cain and Abel). Kayin was the first to bring an offering, but he brought flaxseed, an inferior part of his crop. Hevel followed suit, and he brought the choicest sheep from his flock. Hashem accepted...
by Danielle Altonaga | Oct 1, 2026 | Shemini Atzeres
I often joke that we have two kinds of Jewish holidays. There are the kinds that most people know about (like Yom Kippur). Then there are the kinds that nobody – outside of the Jewish world – has heard of… Enter Shemini Atzeret. When asked “what is the meaning behind...
by Shmuel Klein | Sep 24, 2026 | Sukkot
Where do we go to feel close to G-d? We might picture a synagogue, an open prayer book, or a quiet moment on Yom Kippur. Yet just a few days after Yom Kippur, Sukkot offers a surprisingly different setting: a simple sukkah, a table, and a meal. On Yom Kippur, we draw...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Sep 17, 2026 | Haazinu, Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Weekly Parsha, Yom Kippur
In this week’s Torah portion, Haazinu, Moses begins by calling out to the heavens and the earth to hear his words. On the last day of his life, in his final speech, why is Moses spending time talking to the heavens and the earth? There is a medrash that...
by Rabbi Shaps | Sep 10, 2026 | High Holidays, Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Rosh Hashana
As we approach Rosh Hashanah, we naturally think about new beginnings. Rosh Hashanah is a time to reflect on the past year, but even more importantly, it is a time to think about the year ahead. Rosh Hashanah is the Day of Judgment. We are not only judged for what we...
by Danielle Altonaga | Sep 3, 2026 | Danielle Altonaga, High Holidays, Rosh Hashana, Weekly Parsha
One spring day, when I was 9 years old, I was sitting at the table with my younger brother and his friend. Feeling wise and mature, I began to teach the 4-year-olds: Me: Hey guys, do you know what holiday is coming up? My brother: Um…I don’t know. Me: Could it...
by Shmuel Klein | Aug 28, 2026 | Ki Savo
Parshas Ki Savo begins with a beautiful ceremony known as bikkurim, the bringing ofthe first fruits. After years of wandering, the Jewish people finally settle in the Land of Israel. A farmerplants a field, waits patiently, and eventually sees the first signs of...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Aug 20, 2026 | Ki Seitzei, Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Weekly Parsha
The Torah does not usually tell us the reward for a mitzvah, so it’s eye catching when it does. In this week’s Torah portion, Ki Seitzei, one such mitzvah does appear. The mitzvah to shoo away a mother bird. כִּ֣י יִקָּרֵ֣א קַן־צִפּ֣וֹר | לְפָנֶ֡יךָ...
by Rabbi Shaps | Aug 13, 2026 | Elul, Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Rosh Hashana, Shoftim, Weekly Parsha
This morning we blew the Shofar heralding the new month of Elul representing the start of the High Holiday season. The Shofar is a reminder that Rosh Hashanah the Day of Judgment is approaching and we should prepare ourselves. Parshat Shoftim begins with the laws of...
by Danielle Altonaga | Aug 6, 2026 | Danielle Altonaga, Re'eh, Weekly Parsha
Jingle, clink, jingle. When I was studying in Jerusalem, I always had coins in my bag. One of my teachers, Rebbetzin Ruthie Karlinsky, had advised her students: “Keep a bag of small coins with you. That way, whenever somebody asks for Tzedakah, you will...
