by Rabbi Shaps | Jun 8, 2023 | Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Weekly Parsha
Everyone is an expert. Especially in today’s world with Google available to tell us anything we need to know. I always found it fascinating how parents are experts on teaching even though they never took a course in teaching. In a similar way, we are all medical...
by Lauren Shaps | Jun 1, 2023 | Naso, Weekly Parsha
Early in May the World Health Organization declared an end to the COVID-19 pandemic. Covid-19 “no longer qualifies as a global emergency, marking a symbolic end to the devastating coronavirus pandemic that triggered once-unthinkable lockdowns, upended economies...
by Lauren Shaps | May 5, 2023 | Lauren Shaps, Weekly Parsha
Reading about Israeli politics is never for the faint of heart. These days, the news seems particularly cringe worthy. There are loud voices, extreme views, protests and counterprotests. We worry about the state of affairs in the country we love and feel shame...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Apr 28, 2023 | Acharei Mos Kedoshim, Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Weekly Parsha
“Love your fellow as yourself” this is the fundamental principle of the Torah. Rabbi Akiva This is one of the most famous mitzvos in the Torah and, according to Sages like Rabbi Akiva and Hillel the Elder, the most all encompassing concept that speaks to...
by Danielle Altonaga | Apr 21, 2023 | Danielle Altonaga, Weekly Parsha
Psst…did you hear?! This week’s Torah portion talks about Tzaras, a skin disease. Tzaras is often mistranslated as leprosy. Rabbi Shraga Simmons explains that, in fact, Tzaras is “a physical manifestation of a spiritual deficiency”. Which spiritual deficiency?...
by Rabbi Shaps | Apr 9, 2023 | Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Weekly Parsha
We have all heard the expression Charity begins at home. We may also be familiar with the levels of responsibility in giving charity. It starts with those closest to us, our family and then extends to our community, our city, Jews across the world and the rest of the...