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 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 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 Shaps | Aug 11, 2022 | Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Weekly Parsha
Your health is the most important thing. We hear and say this statement quite often. But is it really true? Why is good health so important? It sounds like a ridiculous question. Without your health, you are limited in what you can do and in your quality of life. If...
by Rabbi Shaps | Jul 21, 2022 | Prayer, Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Weekly Parsha
By my count, I have said the weekday Shemoneh Esrei prayer more than 45,000 times. That is FORTY FIVE THOUSAND TIMES. I know it by heart and can recite this very long prayer without paying attention. Therein lies the problem. I should be concentrating on the words and...
by Rabbi Shaps | Jun 30, 2022 | Korach, Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Weekly Parsha
The story is told of a man whose five year old son was constantly interrupting him as he read the newspaper. Finally, in desperation, he tore off a page of a magazine with a world map and ripped it into small pieces, telling his son not to come back until he had...
