Beraishis 5774

  • Wings to Rise

    Succos 5774 Wings to Rise!   There is Yiddish expression “Ah Tzugeklapta Hoshana,” which is used to describe someone or something that looks forlorn or downtrodden. Where is a Tzugeklapta Hoshana derived from? The Mishna – Oral Law – teaches us that while the Temple in Jerusalem was in existence they would go every day …

  • Dinosaurs

    (Torah Portion Noach) Dinosaurs! I recall viewing an exhibit of a skeletal model of a dinosaur at the Museum of Natural History. It was extremely intriguing and its mammoth size was truly astounding. Needless to say, our society is fascinated by these creatures. It begs us to ask, when did these creatures exist? The information …

  • Empowering Greatness

    (Torah Portion Lech Lecha) Empowering Greatness! How does one merit having close to a million people attend his funeral in just a few hours’ notice? The world renowned Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, a Sefardic Talmudic scholar, authority on Jewish law and spiritual leader, passed away this past Monday and almost a million people paid their respects …

  • Excelling for More

    (Torah Portion Vayairah) Excelling for More Our forefather Avraham recognized and became convinced that there is a Creator and that He is involved in all aspects of our lives. There is a dispute in the Talmud as to Avraham’s age at the time. One opinion states he was three years old and the other says …

  • Scenic Splendor

    (Torah Portion Chayai Sarah) Scenic Splendor Picturesque Northeastern Pennsylvania gets an added boost of life and personality with the coming of the fall season. The magnificent and beautiful array of colors that the leaves of the trees exude is literally breathtaking. I’m not going to go into the technical causes that generate the brilliant foliage, …

  • Bounce Back

    (Torah Portion Toldos) Bounce Back! Our Sages tell us that while our matriarch Rivka was expecting, she had a disturbing experience. When she passed a place of idol worship, she felt her baby kicking as if it wanted to get out, and when she passed a place where Torah was studied, her baby also began …

  • Wedding Plans

    (Torah Portion Vayaitzai) Wedding Plans… Imagine being engaged to be married to a fine gentleman. Your father tells your fiancé to work for him for seven years and only then could he marry. Your fiancé works diligently for the seven years, generating huge profits for his future father-in-law. The wedding day finally arrives. Your fiancé …

  • Who is That

    (Torah Portion Vayishlach) Who is That! The story is told that two great sages of the 1800’s, Rabbi Yehudah Assad and Rabbi Moshe Sofer went to the royal palace to petition against a law detrimental to the Jews. While they were being escorted through the palace, Rabbi Yehudah Assad suddenly asked Rabbi Sofer, “Who is …

  • Moms Cooking

    (Torah Portion Vayaishev) Mom’s Cooking Greetings from the beautiful and Holy City of Jerusalem! Came to attend the Bris of our grandson Yissachar Dov – Dovy! I am quite sure that everyone has heard of ‘Joseph’s multicolored coat.’ I would like to discuss what it was all about. The Torah tells us that our forefather …

  • Happy Chanukah

    (Torah Portion Miketz) Happy Chanukah! Greek culture was very much into beauty; the arts, architecture, and the human body. The physique, self engrossment and the pursuit of instant gratification were their main interests and goals. When the Greeks gained control over the Land of Israel, their focus was to convert the Jews to follow their …

  • Cant you tell its Me

    (Torah Portion Vayigash) Can’t You Tell It’s Me! There was a severe famine in the Land of Israel and our forefather Yaacov sent ten of his sons to Egypt to obtain food. The Land of Egypt was also experiencing a famine; however, because of Yosef’s foresight, Egypt had a stockpile of food, and was able …

  • Hand in Hand

    (Torah Portion Vayechi) Hand in Hand At the onset of my recent trip to Israel, the El Al security detail at Newark airport asked me a list of standard questions. His final question was, “Are you carrying a weapon of any type?” I said, “Yes.” He was quite surprised by my response, and before he …