by Danielle Altonaga | Dec 9, 2022 | Danielle Altonaga, Weekly Parsha
“And Jacob was left alone, and a man (angel) wrestled with him all night”. Genesis 32:25 In this week’s parsha, we discover the famous “wrestling match” between Jacob and the angel (in the form of a man). What type of conflict was this? On the...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Dec 2, 2022 | Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Weekly Parsha
When was the last time you climbed a ladder? Or for that matter climbed down a ladder. Ladders are used to reach a higher place and they are used to climb down into the depths. Early on in this week’s Parsha, Yaakov has a dream in which he sees a ladder spanning from...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Nov 18, 2022 | Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Weekly Parsha
What did you do today? Did you use your time to the fullest? This week’s Torah portion, Chayei Sarah (the life of Sarah), begins with the mention of Sarah’s death. And the life of Sarah was one hundred years and twenty years and seven years; [these were]...
by Danielle Altonaga | Nov 10, 2022 | Danielle Altonaga, Weekly Parsha
Nearly everyone struggles with anxiety or worry sometimes (some more than others…) Rebbetzin Lori Palatnik suggests that there are two types of worriers – those who tend to fret about the past, and those who tend to worry about the future. Examples of fretting...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Nov 4, 2022 | Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Weekly Parsha
Words matter. As we dedicate the month of November to Clean Speech, we are focused on the words we say and the effect they have on both ourselves and others. We have all have disagreements. How do they end? Do they disappear or do they get worse? It likely depends on...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Oct 21, 2022 | Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Weekly Parsha
Every day of creation, Hashem says “it was good,” except for one… On the second day, there is no mention of it being good. Why not? Rabbi Hanina said: Because on that day discord entered the world, as it says “And God said, Let there be a firmament...
by Danielle Altonaga | Oct 14, 2022 | Danielle Altonaga, Sukkot
“Quick! You NEED this product!” shouts the latest advertisement. “Tidy up!” (is what our house would say, if it could talk) “There are things everywhere!” Stuff. Objects. Possessions. A lot of us are surrounded by stuff; by things. But as the saying...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Oct 7, 2022 | Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Sukkot
Moishe is driving in Jerusalem. He’s late for a meeting and looking for a parking space but can’t find one. In desperation, he turns his face upwards and says, “Lord, if you find me a parking space, I promise that I’ll eat...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Sep 22, 2022 | Nitzavim, Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Weekly Parsha
In this week’s Torah portion, it says: …I have placed life and death before you, blessing and curse, and you should choose life, so that you will live… Devarim 30:19 What kind of commandment is that? Would we have thought that death was the better option? Why...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Sep 15, 2022 | Danielle Altonaga, Weekly Parsha
In this week’s Torah portion, Ki Tavo, Moses instructs the people of Israel: When you enter the land that G‑d is giving to you as your eternal heritage, and you settle it and cultivate it, bring the first-ripened fruits (bikkurim) of your orchard to the Holy Temple,...
