There was a time when I would only go out of my way to listen to speakers who were older and more experienced than I. Recently, however, I changed my preferences and began to seek out speakers, … more

Previously published. I noticed the jeep in the distance almost immediately; it was impossible to miss. We were on maneuvers deep in the Negev and there was nothing around but us. Twenty minutes … more

I n this weird and unusual year 5785 — when parshat Teruma is parshat Shekalim (last time was 31 years ago, next time is 20 years from now), when Purim is on a Friday, when there is Purim … more

Among the sacrifices detailed in this week’s parsha is the korban todah , the thanksgiving offering: If he offers it [the sacrifice] as a thanksgiving offering, then along with this … more

Seder means “order.” And one of the items in the order of the Seder agenda is yachatz . Well, what is yachatz? We break the middle matzah of the three matzahs on our Seder plates. … more

As we begin Vayikra, the third book in the Torah, we are once again introduced to the sacrificial order. Beyond the reminders of proper behavior that accompany the depiction of sacrifices, what else … more

I received this story via email: A lady passing a young boy on the street noticed he was entranced by a pair of shoes in a store window. “You’re in such deep thought staring in that … more

Last week, we finished the Chumash of Shemos and learned about the construction of the Mishkan. We were able to appreciate the ethical and spiritual benefits of giving, of the importance of the … more

T hose of us who have been learning Daf Yomi have been consumed with the fascinating and perplexing discussions of Yemot HaMoshiach , the anticipated Days of the Messiah, may he come speedily in our … more

The laws of sacrifices that dominate the early chapters of the Book of Leviticus are among the hardest in the Torah to relate to in the present. It has been almost two thousand years since the … more