by Rabbi Altonaga | Jan 2, 2026 | Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Vayechi, Weekly Parsha
Jacob’s final request to his sons was that he be buried in the Cave of the Patriarchs in the land of Canaan. Before Joseph goes to fulfill this request, he mentions very explicitly to Pharaoh’s household that his father adjured him to do so and that he would return. ...
by Rabbi Shaps | Dec 19, 2025 | Mikeitz, Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Weekly Parsha
This past week, we experienced another tragedy for the Jewish people. It happened in Australia, but was personally felt by Jews worldwide, most of whom did not know any of the victims. As Jews we are one people; we are brothers and sisters, and it’s personal –...
by Danielle Altonaga | Dec 12, 2025 | Danielle Altonaga, Vayeishev, Weekly Parsha
In memory of my father, Avraham ben Chaim Reuven Have you ever had one of those days? A day in which everything feels impossible? You may think “This is my limit. I can’t handle anything else.” In this week’s Parsha, Yosef reminds us that, even in our hardest...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Dec 4, 2025 | Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Vayishlach, Weekly Parsha
I had an unusual opportunity as a baal tchuva (someone who became religious later in life) that I got to pick my own Hebrew name. I chose the name Yisrael. There are a lot of meanings behind this name, but the verse that introduces the name for the first...
by Shmuel Klein | Nov 28, 2025 | Vayeitzei, Weekly Parsha
Parshas Vayeitzei begins with Jacob running for his life. He’s leaving the comfort of his home, his parents, his yeshiva, and everything familiar—and entering a world that is spiritually darker, morally confusing, and full of challenges. And it’s precisely there that...
by Rabbi Shaps | Nov 20, 2025 | Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Toldos, Weekly Parsha
One of the central themes of this week’s parsha is the story of the blessings—how Yaakov, at Rivka’s instruction, presents himself as Esav and receives the brachos from Yitzchak. The obvious question arises: If Hashem wanted Yaakov to receive these blessings, why...
