This week's Torah Portion, Sh'lach L'cha, Numbers 13:1-15:41, is all about borders, boundaries and limits. The Sidrah starts with the story of the scouts, twelve in all, one leader from each tribe, dispatched by Moses at God's behest across the Jordan...
By Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose
• Published June 1, 2011
Every parent knows that there are certain moments in the life of your child that can never be forgotten. Specific liminal events, which will forever be etched into your consciousness - engraved indelibly upon your heart. For me, one such moment took place...
By David Baugher, Special to the Jewish Light
• Published May 25, 2011
A new interim head of school, a new Torah and discussion of a new mission are all on the agenda as an active school year draws to a close at Solomon Schechter Day School.William "Bill" Rowe, head of South County's Thomas Jefferson School, has been named...
At Sinai, I imagine the Israelites might have felt a compelling need to look up as God was up there above and beyond the clouds. Given such a lofty beginning, it would be understandable to think that Torah was also up there- beyond our comprehension....
The Torah portion recently read insynagogues throughout the world (Kedoshim) included these lines:"When a convert dwells among you in your land, do not taunt him.The convert who dwells with you shall be like a native among you,and you shall love him like...
In this week's Torah portion, Behar, God instructs the Israelites, via Moses, that every 50 years they are to observe a jubilee (yovel) year in which they shall "proclaim liberty (dror) throughout the land." This phrase should "ring a bell," since it...
If your name is Cohen, Kohn, Cohn, or Kahn (or if you know someone with these names or similar variations), this parashah is for you. Your direct ancestors, Kohanim, the descendants of Moshe's brother Aharon, were once the unrivaled religious leaders...
BY RABBI HOWARD KAPLANSKY
• Published April 27, 2011
We are told "Kedoshim tihyuh," "You shall be holy, for I, the Lord your God, am holy." One rabbinic source stated that the words "you shall be holy" are an admonition "to strive for absolute human perfection." Respectfully, I offer a different perspective.Holy,...
It is said that more Jews celebrate the Passover seder than any other Jewish ritual. Unfortunately the seder is often misconstrued as a prayer service or recitation, a gauntlet that must be endured in order to reach...drum role...the meal. As the old...
Rabbi Josef A. Davidson
• Published April 21, 2011
It is not often that the festival of Pesach (Passover) coincides with the Torah portion, Aharei Mot (After the death [of two of the sons of Aaron]). It is interesting when they do as the first third of this week's Torah portion is also read on Yom Kippur...
BY ANIEL SHAPIRO, JUNIOR, BLOCK YESHIVA HIGH SCHOOL
• Published April 13, 2011
One may wonder what it takes to be a true friend. Friendship means something different to each individual. As people grow and mature, their definition of friendship evolves. However, most would agree that when they find a good friend, it's truly something...
When we put our paper to bed last week, I was extremely pleased, for several reasons: • We were able to provide front-page coverage of (and I was fortunate to attend) the dedication ceremony for Chabad on Campus' newly renovated facility adjacent to...
