by Rabbi Altonaga | May 31, 2024 | Bechukosai, Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Weekly Parsha
How much can one person accomplish? Hollywood is filled with movies of one individual who saves the world through pure strength of will and heroics. This hero may have a supporting character or two (often primarily for comedic effect or to...
by Rabbi Altonaga | May 3, 2024 | Acharei Mos, Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Weekly Parsha
There is an interesting TikTok phenomenon going on right now of people asking/answering the following question: If your daughter was alone in the wilderness, would you rather that she encounter a bear or an unknown man? It seems like a straightforward question, but...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Apr 4, 2024 | Kosher, Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Shemini, Weekly Parsha
There was this ring tone on phones when I was a kid called the “mosquito.” It was designed to be such a high pitch that adults couldn’t hear it, only kids could. It was a great way to send messages to other kids that you didn’t want adults in the room...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Mar 7, 2024 | Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Shabbos, Vayakel, Weekly Parsha
If you found out on Sunday that Monday was actually a stat holiday, would you be disappointed in the extra time off? If you were waiting in a long line to get into an amusement park, would you be sad if the manager came out and had you skip the line so you could get...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Feb 9, 2024 | Mishpatim, Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Weekly Parsha
It’s the year 1950. You board a train in the frigid Russian winter headed to an important meeting you have in Poland. One of your gloves falls off your hand to the tracks below. You could get off the train to get your glove, missing the meeting and...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Jan 12, 2024 | Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Vayera, Weekly Parsha
Seven of the plagues in Egypt happen in this weeks Torah portion, and you have to imagine that the Egyptians are pretty used to the pattern by plague seven. Every month, Moshe would request that Pharaoh let the Jews go, then Pharaoh would say “no,” then another...
