20 Shevat 5779 – Yitro
Delivering our message effectively It is startling. We will read this week in Shule how the Jewish nation receives the Torah at Mount Sinai. Yet the very first word uttered by G-d to his people, Anochi – I – is an Egyptian one. Why would G-d use employ a foreign language? I believe that through this word, […]
13 Shevat 5779 – Beshalach
How can we restore ourselves during times of immense pressure and stress? When G-d created the universe, He consulted the angels: “Should I bestow upon the human race the gift of music?” The elitist angels unanimously replied with a resounding “no.” “The human race will not appreciate the sublime power of melody. They will abuse […]
14 Tevet 5779 – Vayechi
Hey! He took my parking spot! My emotions were put to the test this week. I had found the perfect parking spot right in front of the hospital. As I was reversing in, another car pulled into it directly behind me. I was first in line for that spot and had indicated that I was […]
7 Tevet 5779 – Vayigash
Last week we saw the chilling footage of the Arthurs Road Synagogue in Sea Point, Cape Town, burning to the ground. This is a tremendous tragedy for the Cape Town Jewish community and Jewish communities all over the world. When one of us are hurt, all of us feel the pain. In fact, I know […]
30 Kislev 5779 – Mikeitz
On Chanukah we light all the candles via another candle, called the Shamash. On one hand, we can look upon the Shamash with pity. It lights all the others and yet, it is never counted with the rest. It never acquires the status as one of the flames of the Chanukah menorah. Yet on the […]
23 Kislev 5779 – Vayeishev
A Shabbat Chanukah nugget Jewish law dictates that a person must not utilise the light of the Chanukah candles for any other purpose than the mitzvah itself. If it is dark we can’t benefit from their glow and if it’s cold, we can’t enjoy their warmth. All we can do is look at the candles. […]
16 Kislev 5779 – Vayishlach
Seeing the blessing within It has always been a strange story. Jacob fights with an angel and overcomes. Before he releases the angel, Jacob insists: “I will not let you go until you bless me”. Bless him? If I was in a fight, the last thing I would ask from my opponent would be his […]
9 Kislev 5779 – Vayetzei
Are you a dreamer? This week we will explore the dramatic narrative where Yaakov is forced to flee from his brother Eisav’s wrath after taking his blessings. He leaves his native Be’er Sheva and sets out for his family in Charan. While on his way, he grows tired and lays down to rest. He then […]
2 Kislev 5779 – Toldos
This week I hosted over 40 people to my home for a discussion on Belief titled: Can you be Jewish if you don’t believe in G-d? I share with you one of the ideas discussed that I believe can relate to most of us. Rabbi Chasdai Crescas, 14th Century Jewish scholar and philosopher sought to […]
25 Heshvan 5779 – Chayei Sara
Why should the shooting in Pittsburgh matter to me? What happens to Jews around the world affects Jews everywhere. The incident that took place last Saturday, as Jews gathered inside the Tree of Life Synagogue for a baby naming ceremony, was not just an attack against a specific Jew or group of Jews. Rather, it […]