Eisav’s head and self preservation By Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of Jan. 9, 2009 / 13 Teves 5769 Ask any school child above age eight, “Who is buried in the Cave of … more

By Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of Jan. 2, 2009 / 6 Teves 5769 A Jew who reads the Torah as a historical account of the beginnings of our people may easily swell with pride and “yiddishe … more

By Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of Dec. 26, 2008 / 29 Kislev 5769 Have you ever bumped into someone you haven’t seen in over 20 years? This is a common occurrence in unfortunate circumstances … more

When the sun, moon and stars bow By Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of Dec. 19, 2008 / 22 Kislev 5769 Bundles of grain and stars bow down to Yosef. What does it all mean? In 37:7 Yosef … more

By Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of Dec. 12, 2008 / 15 Kislev 5769 I can’t get the Holtzbergs out of my head. Not just because their images are all over the news and on every Jewish web site … more

By Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of Dec. 5, 2008 / 8 Kislev 5769 A web site which caters to the chareidi community picked up my column on Parshat Chayei Sara in which I argued that Rivka was a … more

By Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of Nov. 28, 2008 / 1 Kislev 5769 Sometimes a new point we’ve perhaps never considered becomes apparent and leaves us wondering: save for Rachel and Leah — who … more

By Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of Nov. 21, 2008 / 23 Cheshvan 5769 How old was Rivka when she was discovered by Avraham’s servant and brought to Canaan to marry Yitzchak? You are a … more

Childlike Innocence By Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of Nov. 14, 2008 / 17 Cheshvan 5769 The banishment of Yishmael and Hagar leaves a bad taste in one’s mouth. How could Sarah justify … more

By Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of Nov. 7, 2008 / 9 Cheshvan 5769 When we were first introduced to Noach last week, we were told that he was righteous and “Tamim,” perfect or complete. … more