I still don’t know how he made it into Infantry Officer’s course, but I do know how difficult it was for him. Overweight, and far from being an athlete, the physical challenges … more

There are moments in time one needs to forget. Often, though, these are moments we really need to remember. Such a moment came into my life on Aug 9 (the 20th of Av) in 2001. A beautiful afternoon … more

Earlier this week, in an attempt to gain some space in my crowded apartment, I was going through some old records and discarding many of them. Uncertain about whether or not to … more

Beloved by his entire generation and revered for his incredible knowledge of Torah, he was given the chance to get out of 1939 Poland; safe passage to America had been secured and a new life was waiting and ready for him and his entire family. more

January 6, 1944. Snow on the ground; bitter cold; the sun hides behind the dark grey clouds over the harsh landscape of Auschwitz. Four gallows; four nooses, swaying in the wind. The members of the SonderKommando (special units) were responsible for removing the bodies from the gas chambers and burning them in the infamous crematoria. more

Many years ago, an elderly man approached me following a lecture on the topic of Emunat Chachamim (the faith we are meant to have in our sages). “Do you know why I am no longer … more

A  great tragedy unfolded when Moses sinned at the Waters of Dispute (Mei Merivah). As the Torah states in our parasha, Pinchas: “You [Moses] disobeyed My command in the desert of Zin … more

The opening comments of Midrash Rabba on parshaBechukotai address the Torah’s promise that those who follow G-d’s laws will be rewarded. King David was concerned for his own well … more

Parashat Chukat contains a mysterious passage that focuses upon a well: “From there to the well, that is the well of which Hashem said to Moshe, Gather the people, and I will give them water. … more

In the midst of the tumult surrounding the last of the plagues we are given our first dose of the mitzvot. The Israelites in Egypt were instructed to take what is commonly translated as a … more