by Rabbi Altonaga | Feb 11, 2022 | Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Tetzaveh, Weekly Parsha
Possibly the most holy man there can be. A lofty position with significance even greater than the king in certain areas. The man who everyone sings about and focuses on on the holiest day of the year, Yom Kippur. The Kohen Gadol. The High Priest. The Torah describes...
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...
