In 1165, an agonizing question confronted Moroccan Jewry. A fanatical Muslim sect, the Almohads, had seized power in Morocco and was embarking on a policy of forced conversion to Islam. The … more

O ur parsha, Vayechi, opens by telling us an important story with universal implications. When Jacob was on his deathbed all his children wanted to know how the future was likely to turn out, … more

In my View by Rabbi Herschel Billet Issue of April 30, 2010/ 16 Iyar, 5770 As a proud American citizen who cares deeply about the fate and destiny of Israel, the growing tension between … more

Outside of Orthodoxy, Shavuot is one of the lesser-known Jewish holidays. In an essay titled “Thoughts on Shavuot” from his book, “Angels for Shabbat,” Rabbi Marc Angel, director of the Institute for Jewish Ideas and Ideals states quite eloquently: “Shavuot is the festival on which we recall the Revelation at Mount Sinai. It is also a good time to plan for a hypothetical second gathering of Israelites at Sinai – and to think carefully how we can envision such an event as an opportunity to bring us all together. more

From the one time in Re’eh to the three times in Shoftim to the five times in Ki Tetze, the Torah tells us nine times to eradicate evil – “Uvi’arta hara” – from either amongst you, or amongst all of Israel. It would seem that in most of these cases, as well as others in our parsha, the Torah is advocating for a death penalty kind of punishment for those who are either guilty of a crime, or are in violation of a mitzvah. more

Less can be more. Sometimes it isn’t. Keep this in mind as you select an image for an online professional or social site. Interesting persons with interesting faces should have more … more

A Jew defining (and dressing) himself as Ultra-orthodox goes on a stabbing rampage at the LGBT pride parade in Jerusalem, murdering a 16 year old girl and seriously wounding five others. Iranian … more

Ah gutten vinter,” my father wished me as I departed after Simchat Torah, the last of the holidays. Back in the day, that was the traditional greeting with which one signed off the High Holiday … more

Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau in his commentary on Pirkei Avot (Artscroll-Mesorah, 2006) teaches us, from Rav Shimon, that “a wise person always looks to the future. He weighs the consequences of his … more

As we undertake the building of the Mishkan (Tabernacle), we find many instructions that have been made more understandable to us through the numerous books of illustrations and charts the describe … more