by Rabbi Altonaga | Aug 30, 2024 | Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Re'eh, Weekly Parsha
A Canadian court order recently came out that prevented a law from coming into effect. That law, might have effectively put an end to Jewish kosher meat production in Canada (without affecting the meat production of any other group, I might add). Thanks to...
by Elisha Guberman | Aug 22, 2024 | Eikev, Elisha Guberman, Weekly Parsha
In Parshat Ekev, Moshe continues to exhort Bnei Israel to follow Hashem’s commandments as they prepare to enter the Land of Israel. One key Pasuk in this parsha is (Devarim 8:10) “You will eat and be satisfied, and you shall bless Hashem your God for the good...
by Rabbi Shaps | Aug 15, 2024 | Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Va'eschanan, Weekly Parsha
Winning the lottery isn’t all it is cracked up to be. Studies have shown that a very high percentage of winners lose their winnings within a few years and/or experience serious issues with mental health and addiction. Sudden wealth is a major challenge for many...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Aug 9, 2024 | Bamidbar, Lauren Shaps, Tisha B'Av, Weekly Parsha
Here we are. Over 300 days since the atrocities of October 7. 115 hostages still captive in Gaza, 41 confirmed murdered in Gaza. 116 living hostages rescued and 24 bodies recovered. Here we are in the midst of the 9 Days, on the cusp of Tisha B’Av, with Iran and their...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Aug 2, 2024 | Mattos, Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Weekly Parsha
You told him you’d go volunteer at the food bank together today, but you just don’t feel like going out anymore. Does it really matter if you just don’t show up? Just because you said it, doesn’t mean you have a real obligation to do it, right? Words are...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Jul 26, 2024 | Pinchas, Weekly Parsha, Yiska Guberman
Parshat Pinchas brings us together with a story of female power. The story of the daughters of Zelophehad takes place in the desert at the time of Hashem’s commandment to Moshe to divide the land into inheritances for each household in Am Israel. Zelophehad,...
by Elisha Guberman | Jul 18, 2024 | Balak, Weekly Parsha
“Donkeys know nothing about Gazpacho” is my attempt to translate an old Arabic saying I learned from my first-year Yeshiva Rabbi. It illustrates a situation where someone or something is unable to comprehend higher knowledge, using donkeys humorously to...
by Rabbi Shaps | Jul 11, 2024 | Chukas, Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Weekly Parsha
Shlomo Carlebach used to tell the story of “Yosele the Miser” who was looked down upon by everyone in town because he was so stingy. The day after he died, people started showing up at the rabbi’s house asking for assistance. Each one told of how they would...
by Lauren Shaps | Jul 4, 2024 | Korach, Lauren Shaps, Weekly Parsha
Think about being pulled between two opposing sides. This happens everywhere, in families, groups of friends, shuls, schools, and the local and broader community. Two or more opinions is a recipe for divisiveness and discord. The natural response for most people is...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Jun 27, 2024 | Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Shelach, Weekly Parsha
The world is a busy place. It seems that there is always something newsworthy being reported. Something people will be talking about. And the media (both social and professional) keeps us up to date on all of this by shouting it at us from every...
