by Rabbi Shaps | Feb 4, 2022 | Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Terumah, Weekly Parsha
They say it is the thought that counts. Generally, we understand this to mean that I had good intentions even though things didn’t work out as planned so don’t hold it against me that something negative happened to you. I meant well. In this week’s Torah reading...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Jan 21, 2022 | Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Weekly Parsha, Yisro
What is the single most important event in Jewish history? The event that changed the character of everything we carried out from that day forward? The event that gave birth to the most published book in human history? The Revelation at Sinai. It was the only time...
by Rabbi Shaps | Jan 13, 2022 | Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Tu B'Shvat, Weekly Parsha
In Dedication to Rabbi Yehuda Simes Thursday was the 5th yahrzeit of our beloved friend and teacher Rabbi Yehuda Simes. It brought to mind a thought I said at the dedication ceremony for the Torah that is in his memory. I recalled that Yehuda was a man with a positive...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Dec 30, 2021 | Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Vayera, Weekly Parsha
Have you ever wanted, no, needed to tell someone that they are completely wrong and should change their ways? How do you tell them? There are a few verses in this week’s Torah portion about God’s instructions to Moses about what to say to Pharaoh....
by Rabbi Shaps | Dec 23, 2021 | Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Weekly Parsha
(On August 30, 1973, the New York Mets were in last place. Responding to the rally cry of Ya Gotta Believe of pitcher Tug McGraw, the Mets took over first place three weeks later.) Studies show that faith and prayer can have a significant impact on a patient’s ability...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Dec 10, 2021 | Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Vayigash, Weekly Parsha
Do you know something with such conviction that no argument can dissuade you? Are you so certain that you no longer need any supporting evidence? What would you do if you suddenly encountered something that flew completely in the face of that conviction?...
by Rabbi Shaps | Dec 2, 2021 | Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Weekly Parsha
They say you only get one chance to make a first impression. You also only get one chance to create a first impression about somebody else. This week’s Parsha, Mikeitz, begins with Pharaoh having two dreams. When he is not satisfied with any of the interpretations...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Nov 19, 2021 | Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Vayishlach, Weekly Parsha
I had an unusual opportunity as a baal tchuva (someone who became religious later in life) that I got to pick my own Hebrew name. I chose the name Yisrael. There is a lot of depth and meaning behind this name, but the verse that introduces the name for the...
by Rabbi Shaps | Nov 11, 2021 | Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Weekly Parsha
We are called Jews as in Yehudi, from Yehudah. Historically, after the exile of the ten tribes, the overwhelming majority of Israelites were from the tribe of Yehudah and we became known as Yehudim. The Talmud teaches that there are three character traits of the...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Oct 29, 2021 | 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;...
