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Apr 20

Optimism!

The month of Nissan was chosen as the first month of the lunar calendar year because that is when G-d instructed Moshe in the laws determining that Rosh Chodesh is at the first appearance of the moon. Nissan holds a special place for G-d, since in this month He freed His nation from Egypt and …

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Apr 07

Cat, Dog & Stick!

This week’s portion is a continuation of last week’s and speaks of the purification process of someone who had been afflicted with Tzoraas ― a spiritual malaise that is manifest through a physical blemish or discoloration which indicates that the person was lax in the area of speaking Lashon Hara, ill of another. To remain …

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Apr 15

Think Over!

The two Portions we read this Shabbos almost exclusively concern the laws of Tzoraas. Tzoraas are certain discolorations that appear on one’s skin, garment or house. Only after being appraised by a Kohain could it be determined if it was a Tzoraas malady. If it was indeed Tzoraas, the person was quarantined until the Tzoraas …

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Apr 23

OMG!

Our grandchildren called the other day and shared with us a series of ‘knock knock’ jokes. Of course we laughed along with them even though most of them were the same jokes we remembered from our youth. The other night I had a fitful sleep. I guess it was because my father (Boruch ben Chaya …

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Apr 10

Defiance!

This Shabbos is called Shabbos Hagadol – the great Shabbos. Let us examine how this Shabbos got its name. The Talmud explains that on the Shabbos before the Jews left Egypt, each Jew took a male lamb and tied it to their bedposts. When the Egyptians saw this, they asked what they were doing. The …

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Sep 27

Lessons for the Week

(Torah Portion Metzora) Lessons for the Week The Parshas of this week and last, deal primarily with tzaraas – colored patches on one’s home, clothing or body – which were spiritual signs that the sin of Lashon Harah – speaking ill of others – was transgressed. The Medrash points out that when these laws are …

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Sep 27

The Consequence of the Spoken Word

(Torah Portion Tazria/Metzorah) The Consequence of the Spoken Word We are all aware of the ill effects of slander, bad mouthing, defaming, insulting, spreading rumors, and name-calling, and that they can devastate people’s lives. The Torah demands that we be sensitive to the feelings of others and prohibits all of the above – even when …

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Sep 27

Remedying Envy

(Torah Portion Tazria/Metzorah) Remedying Envy! As the Second World War was raging and the inevitable assault and capture was approaching, many Jews hid their valuables in the hope that if they survived, they would be able to retrieve their money, wealth and family heirlooms. As we know, most of them did not have the fortune …

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Sep 27

World Peace

(Torah Portion Tazria/Metzora) World Peace! King Solomon states in the Book of Proverbs, “Life and death lay in the power of speech.” Today, more so than anytime in history we see the power of the spoken or typed word. We clearly see that one can either be catapulted into instantaneous fame, or more often, one’s …

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Sep 27

The Children

(Torah Portion Metzorah) The Children! The Torah is very demanding on us to be extra vigilant to refrain from speaking ill of others. Two Portions of the Torah are dedicated to describing Tzoraas maladies that come upon a person, his clothing, or his house as a result of his loose chatter regarding the negative qualities …

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