by Rabbi Altonaga | Jan 13, 2023 | Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Weekly Parsha
In the Torah portion this week, there is a line that chills me to the bone. It is an ominous literary moment that turns everything on its head and sets the stage for the horrors that are to come. The reading starts with some innocuous genealogical details and then out...
by Danielle Altonaga | Jan 4, 2023 | Danielle Altonaga, Weekly Parsha
“So he [Jacob] blessed them that day, saying, “By you shall Israel bless saying ‘May G-d make you like Ephraim and Menashe…” Bereishis 48:20 Before Jacob passes away, he gives blessings to all of his children. To his grandchildren, Ephraim and Menashe, he...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Dec 29, 2022 | Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Weekly Parsha
A study performed by Yale University concluded that a stressful lifestyle can affect your health at the DNA level. Stress can cause negative health consequences even in someone who does not have other physical or mental health...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Dec 16, 2022 | Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Weekly Parsha
Are you struggling? Life is hard and it seems like there is always something getting between us and our goals. Always these inconvenient or even painful difficulties hounding us at every turn. Few can see that as clearly as Joseph could in this weeks Torah portion. As...
by Danielle Altonaga | Dec 9, 2022 | Danielle Altonaga, Weekly Parsha
“And Jacob was left alone, and a man (angel) wrestled with him all night”. Genesis 32:25 In this week’s parsha, we discover the famous “wrestling match” between Jacob and the angel (in the form of a man). What type of conflict was this? On the...
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...
