One of the more fascinating narratives in the Torah is the one surrounding the fate of Moshe, the great leader, and his passionate effort to gain entry into the Promised Land. In last week’s parsha he seemed to imply that the episode of the spies doomed him to the same fate as the entire generation (Devarim 1:37). more

You are snuggly under your blanket or in your sleeping bag when all that peace and serenity comes to an abrupt halt. Shouting and yelling, darkness turning into abrupt harsh light, sleeping bags … more

The Five Books of the Torah contain two instances of the phrase, “vayikra Hashem el Moshe,” “and Hashem called to Moshe.” The first appears in Shemot 24:16, in the context of … more

With a small push, yet surprisingly little creativity, we can easily notice that the Exodus from Egypt mirrors the events that surround the last evening of the existence of Sodom. In Egypt, … more

Media pundits and missionaries are famous for taking quotations out of context. Before judging any statement you read or hear, it is important to know in what context it was expressed. Was the … more

Jewish people teach Jewish values to their children, and to all who wish to be informed about their faith. If one is asked “Should I or should I not?” we generally respond with clear … more

The “Binding of Isaac” is a defining chapter in the story of the Jewish people, inspiring much of our liturgy. In some respects it represents what it means to sacrifice for … more

In the listing of ingredients for the proper pursuit of holiness, the Torah puts reverence of one’s parents and the observance of the Sabbath at the fore front, on just about an equal … more

Jewish people who have traversed the Orthodox experience may have followed any number of paths. The most common are those who were born into Orthodoxy and never left, those who converted or became … more

By Rabbi Avi Billet There is a very subtle change in the way Megillat Esther refers to Haman’s family and advisors before he is disgraced leading Mordechai through the street on a horse, and how … more