This week’s Torah portion Shelach, recounts a dramatic moment in Israel’s history: the sin of the spies. This familiar story raises questions, like why did the spies, leaders among the children of Israel, give a bad report? Did the leaders fear that they would lose their closeness to G-d once they entered the Land?
Shabbat Shalom! This week Shmuel shares his thoughts all the way from Inverness, Scotland.
Shabbat shalom. This week we read the portion of Naso. There is something in this portion that is sure to be familiar: the priestly blessing!
Why did the children of Israel receive the Torah in the desert of all places? The desert is often a lawless place, a wild west with untamed residents.
Shmuel shares a story about the Sanz Rebbe, a famous rabbi whose family perished in the Holocaust. The Sanz Rebbe had experience with curses and darkness, but he had great insight into blessings and the coming redemption of the Land of Israel.
This week Shmuel shares from portion Behar while wrapping up his trip to Franklin, Tennessee where he attended the Israel Summit.
Death plays an important role, as this week’s Torah portion coincides with Israel’s Memorial Day, Independence Day, and the memorial for Shmuel’s late father.
Shabbat Shalom! This week’s Torah portion Kedoshim opens with a powerful statement: Be holy as I am holy. But what is holiness?
Shabbat Shalom! This week we’re sharing an Orthodox Jewish commentary on the traditional reading of Song of Songs during Passover with Sondra Oster Baras.
Shabbat Shalom! This week we’re sharing an Orthodox Jewish commentary on the traditional reading of Song of Songs during Passover with Sondra Oster Baras.