by Rabbi Altonaga | Nov 17, 2023 | Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Toldos, Weekly Parsha
In this week’s Torah portion, Isaac travels to Gerar (a city in the region known as Gaza) and encountered the Philistines (a no longer extant people, likely of Greek origin, who lived in the area. Not to be confused with another group of people who more recently gave...
by Rabbi Gotlib | Nov 9, 2023 | Chayei Sarah, Rabbi Gotlib, Weekly Parsha
Parshat Chayei Sarah includes the iconic scene of Eliezer, Avraham’s servant, meeting Yitzchak’s future wife, Rivkah. How does Eliezer know that she is the right one for Yitzchak? He asked Hashem for a sign – the woman who is right should not only offer him...
by Rabbi Shaps | Nov 3, 2023 | Vayera, Weekly Parsha
I can’t believe this could ever happen! Most of us have been saying these words again and again over the past few weeks. We couldn’t believe that Hamas could be so depraved as they massacred so many. We can’t believe how people are turning on Israel and defending...
by Rabbi Gotlib | Oct 13, 2023 | Breishis, Israel, Rabbi Gotlib, Weekly Parsha
“In the Beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” It’s one of the most well known lines of any book, written at any point in history. But why does the Torah specifically start there? The word “Torah” literally means “teaching,” so if the whole point is for us...
by Danielle Altonaga | Sep 22, 2023 | Danielle Altonaga, Haazinu, Weekly Parsha
We just had Rosh Hashanah, complete with apples, honey, and (hopefully) a reality check! On Rosh Hashanah, we crowned G-d king. We reminded ourselves that our health, wealth and success all come from G-d, and we prayed for a sweet year. Interestingly, in this week’s...
by Rabbi Shaps | Sep 7, 2023 | Nitzavim, Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Rosh Hashana, Weekly Parsha
A week from Sunday we will be hearing the sound of the Shofar on Rosh Hashanah. The likelihood is that the Baal Toke’a – the one who blows for the congregation, will blow again later that day for someone else who couldn’t come to shul. The JET Shofar blowing and...
