Parsha: Devarim (2023)
B’H This coming week we will commemorate the sad day of Tisha ba’v. The day of fasting and mourning, over the destruction of Jerusalem and the Holy Temple. This Shabbat is given a special name, it is called “Shabbat Chazon” literally the “Shabbat of vision”. This is because this week we read the Haftorah of […]
Parsha: Matos Maasei (2023)
I have a good friend who would always quote “Life is a journey, enjoy the ride.” I believe there is a lot of meaning in that sentence. As a people we have been travelling and moving around for the last 2000 years. Jewish philosophy teaches us about the journey the soul makes from heaven until […]
Parsha: Pinchas (2023)
The Gift of Shabbat. We have begun the period known as the 3 weeks. This begins on 17th of Tamuz until the 9th of Av known as Tisha B’av. This is an annual mourning period that begins Thursday (6 July), 17th of the Hebrew month of Tammuz, a fast day that marks the day when […]
Parsha: Chukas Balak (2023)
When I studied in New York in 2009, I would often take the subways on Friday afternoons for our weekly outreach programs. On the walls of the subways there was a line that read, “If you see something say something”. Sometimes we have the following thought process: “Who am I to say something? I’m sure […]
Parsha: Korach (2023)
How do can we deal with jealousy and envy?It’s sometimes feels natural, to be envious of those who achieve more, and are more successful. “If only I had the life he/she has…” This week’s Parsha, speaks about this very idea. Korach was a man who wanted a position that wasn’t meant for him. He was […]
Parsha: Shlach (2023)
Do we use fear too much? One morning, Kim Brooks made a split-second decision to leave her 4-year-old son in the car while she ran into a store. She returned minutes later and drove off with her son safe in the backseat. What she did not know was that a bystander had videoed her and […]
Parsha: Behaalotecha (2023)
Mazal tov !! What an exciting week it has been as we welcomed a new Baby Boy into our family! A new soul has come down into this world. A soul is compared to a flame. The flames of the Menorah. The Menorah is one of the most famous symbols of Judaism. In fact, when Prime […]
Parsha: Naso Borkat Cohanim (2023)
One of the most special and memorable moments from childhood, is standing huddled together with my siblings under our Father’s Talit, hearing the Birkat Kohanim (priestly blessings. The Birkat Cohanim, (Priestly Blessing) is a major theme mentioned in this weeks parsha and is one of the most spiritually uplifting moments in Jewish life, as the […]
Shavuot (2023)
Chag Sameach! This Shavuot we celebrate the 3335th anniversary of the giving of the Torah! A new record was broken last week. The most valuable book ever sold at auction, was sold for $38.1 million USD ($57.5 million in AUD). The record-breaking price surpassed the 1994 sale of Leonardo da Vinci’s “Codex Leicester manuscript”, which sold […]
Parsha: Bamidbar (2023)
The power of a blessing. This week is Shabbat Mevorchim Sivan, where we bless the entire month of Sivan, including the upcoming Holiday of Shavuot. Shavuot is the day G-d gave us the greatest gift, the Torah. On this Shabbat we reflect on the Torah’s contribution to us a nation, and to the world as […]