20 Iyar 5778 – Emor
While death normally evokes emotions of grief and sadness, would anyone suggest that it would elicit joy and celebration? According to one Rabbi – yes! As we celebrate Lag BaOmer lets consider why we rejoice and reflect at the same time based on learnings from this significant day.
6 Iyar 5778 -Tazria-Metzorah
The sombre commemoration of Yom Hazikaron (Israel Remembrance Day) always immediately precedes the jubilant celebration of Yom Haatzmaut (Independence Day). Why are these two days straight after each other? How are we expected or able to suddenly shift our feelings from that of sadness and reflection to those of joy and ecstasy?
29 Nissan 5778 – Shemini
This past week we commemorated Yom Hashoa – Holocaust Remembrance Day. I attended two communal memorial events in which my wife, Chana Raizel featured as guest speaker. I was really proud of the way she gave over the story of her dear grandmother and gave honour and dignity to her, the survivors and all those […]
8 Nisan 5778 – Tzav
Here is a short story that I recently came across to give us some inspiration in the midst of all our backbreaking Pesach preparations! It was the afternoon before Passover, and Rabbi Levi Yitzchak was wandering through the streets of the Jewish quarter seeking out local smugglers. From one he quietly asked for a quote on contraband tobacco, from […]
1 Nisan 5778 – Vayikra
Selling your Chametz: A Jewish ‘loophole’ or an important transaction?? Over the past few weeks, we have been distributing and advertising our ‘Sale of Chametz’ form. In place of my message this week, I provide some information as to why this is important and how it works. Jewish law allows a person in ownership of large […]
23 Adar 57778 – Vayakhel – Pekudei
Are we there for those who need us most? Over Shabbat, we will conclude the book of Shemot with an interesting story. the Jews had donated so much to the building of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) that they were actually told to stop giving. In particular, the women gave their own precious jewellery and beautifying instruments […]
Purim 5778
Purim… Did you know? In the early 1950s, Joseph Stalin, the ruthless butcher of millions of innocent people, had bloody plans for dealing with the “Jewish problem” in the U.S.S.R. Just as things were reaching a crisis point in 1953, he died… on Purim! In 1990, Saddam Hussein of Iraq defiantly invaded nearby Kuwait. As pressure ramped […]
9 Adar 5778 – Tetzaveh
An interesting Purim perspective The Talmud asks: “Why was annihilation decreed on the Persian Jews of that generation?” It answers: “Because they enjoyed the feast of that wicked man (Achashveirosh, the Persian king).” As the Megillah relates in its opening chapter, the Persian monarch threw a major feast, and the Jews of Shushan (capital of […]
2 Adar 5778 – Terumah
The most significant action of history was the creation of the world. So you would think the Torah would dedicate great space towards this phenomenon. Yet, there are only 31 verses on it, a complete contrast to the construction of a small tabernacle, the Mishkan. What is the message behind this?
25 Shevat 5778 – Mishpatim
Poking out an eye?? None of us are perfect. We all do things we regret. So how do we make amends? How do we correct a crime? The dilemma There is a bizarre Torah law in this week’s portion of Mishpatim (22:24) that says that if a person harms another than the measure of his […]