The expression, “And you shall love the L-rd, your G-d” appears twice in the Torah, the first instance in Parashat Vaetchanan (Devarim 6:5), and the second in this week Parashat Eikev … more

What motivates some people to do more than just appreciate the blessings they have in their lives and to actually be a vehicle for blessing? This week’s portion, Ekev, contains one of the … more

Our parasha this week, Re’eh, contains two seemingly contradictory pasukim. Initially we are taught, “However, there will be no needy (evyon) among you, for the L-rd will surely bless you … more

The end of Parshat Re’eh is one of the few times in the Torah that the holidays are presented. Noticeable is the instruction to be joyous on the holiday, a point noted once for Shavuot (16:11), … more

It started out as just another inspection. It was Friday afternoon, and after a week of intense maneuvers with little sleep, followed by the weekly servicing of our tanks all night long. We were … more

After describing the difficulty he had in judging the people by himself, Moshe describes how he suggested to the people that they bring forth their most honorable leaders to serve as captains and … more

It was a glorious Shabbat morning, but truth be told, if I had been left to my own devices, I might have slept all day. But there at the edge of my bed was Benji with his older sister Abigail, … more

T his Shabbat is known as “Shabbat Chazon,” based upon the opening words of our haftarah: “The vision (chazon) of Yeshayahu (Isaiah) the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning … more

Again this year, there is evidence of a polarization in Israeli society. Jewish men purporting to represent what Judaism is meant to be, describing themselves as “religious” or … more

The final pasuk of our parasha is somewhat difficult to understand: “Moses spoke to the children of Israel in accordance with all that the L-rd had commanded Moses.” (Sefer Bamidbar 30:1) … more