Hi, Hope you’re having a great day. It’s almost Chanukah! And there’s still time to make your most meaningful one. … We’ve all heard the story. The Greeks tried to destroy Judaism.  And impose Greek culture on the Jews. Torah scrolls were burned.  And Torah study became a capital offense. Observance of Shabbat and Kosher […]

Hope you’re having a great day. The Jay Leno show? Not what you expect to see in a Torah Minute! But you probably heard about President Obama being on the show. And when you’re on Leno? You have to try to be funny. And the president made an off the cuff remark. Which came across […]

The Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded recently. It went to John Mather of the NASA Space Flight Center. His research is credited for confirming the Big Bang Theory. And here’s what Stephen Hawking said about Mather’s research. “The discovery of the century, if not of all time”! … What does this have to do […]

Hi, Let’s face it. Being young and athletic is revered in our culture. Our kids worship great basketball players. The Olympic athletes will return as heroes. … And when we get a bit older. Start slowing down? Can’t move around on the tennis court like we used to? We deny it! “I am not getting […]

Hi, There are many misconceptions about Jewish tradition. And there’s one that seems very widespread. … “Do not make any tattoo marks on your skin. I am G-d.” (Leviticus, 19:26) It’s very clear. The Torah doesn’t allow tattoos. The misconception? “Rabbi, is it true that a person who has a tattoo can’t have a Jewish […]

Hi, The Torah was written thousands of years ago! Sometimes it’s hard to believe. Take one of the most amazing commandments. “Love your neighbor like yourself”. I am G-d. (Leviticus, 19:18) … Picture how this would go over in Ancient Greece. Huh? “Do we have to be better than the gods? They’re jealous of each […]

Hi, Happy Chanukah! What better time could there be to get back to the Torah Minute? After all, Torah is what Chanukah is all about. … We’ve all heard the story. The Greeks tried to destroy Judaism.  And impose Greek culture on the Jews. Torah scrolls were burned.  And Torah study became a capital offense. […]

Hi, Drishat Shalom, best regards from Israel! I had an amazing trip. Besides the usual high points, like Jerusalem and the Western Wall? I visited some of the fantastic Yeshivas for men and women without extensive Jewish backgrounds. There are some amazing opportunities to really sink your teeth into Jewish learning. And there’s one just […]

Hi, Sorry I missed you yesterday. Believe me! I enjoy this much more than two hours at the dentist! … Jacob is about to be confronted by Esau. But not so fast. First, Jacob had a very mysterious experience.  (Genesis, 32:23-32) He had taken his family and his possessions across the river. And was now […]

Hi, Yesterday it was kosher filet mignon. One reader told me she will be in Israel for Rosh Hashanah. And is now looking forward to the trip even more! We also spoke about we have outlived our enemies. … Its 167 B.C.E.  Close to the story of Chanukah. And you’re reading the Athens Times. Here’s […]