Hope you’re having a great day. We just celebrated Purim. Now on to Passover! And this Torah Minute is about both. … It’s something I shared at the CTN Purim celebration. There happened to be a number of Jews from the formerSoviet Union. And when I see such Jews taking part in Jewish life? It […]

Hi, Hope you’re having a great day. … I recently got myself into a very “sticky” situation. I was in a building undergoing renovations. And when I opened the door to one of the rooms and walked in? I heard someone yelling… “No! Stop!” “Oh no!” What happened? They were putting tiles on the floor. […]

Hi, I hope you enjoyed Purim. The Purim story reminds us that G-d is involved in Jewish history. In the survival of the Jewish People. And in our personal lives. Even when it’s not obvious. Most of us have probably had experiences where something happens to us. We wonder “why”. And it turns out for […]

Hi, Sorry to keep you in suspense for all that time. The Jewish People actually do leave Egypt! … The Exodus from Egypt. It’s right up there with the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. And so much of Jewish ritual is meant to remind us of it. We mention it every day in […]

Hi, Finally.  The Exodus is about to begin. But not so fast! … G-d tells Moshe to give the Jewish People the good news. (Exodus, 6:1-13) That G-d is about to free them.  But they wouldn’t listen.  They didn’t believe Moshe. Their spirits were broken.  Then G-d tells Moshe to speak to Pharaoh and free […]

Hi, Hope all is well. … Genesis ends with the death of Jacob. He had come to Egypt with his family to be reunited with Joseph. When Jacob died? Joseph’s brothers were petrified. (Genesis, 50) “Now that Dad is gone, Joseph may take his revenge.  Finally even the score.” Joseph’s response? “Don’t worry.  You meant […]

Hi, Chag Samayach!  Happy Succot! Here’s a thought about the Succah.  It’s about the schach.  The roof of the Succah. Usually made of greens or bamboo. Jewish tradition says that it shouldn’t be too thick. That we should be able to see the stars when we look up.  … What should seeing the stars make […]

Hi, Joseph was a very handsome man.  (Genesis, 39) And his master’s wife tried to seduce him.  Again and again. Every day. And Joseph resisted. One day, they were alone in the house, and she grabbed Joseph by his garment. Joseph left his garment in her hand and ran out! Then she accused Joseph of […]

Hi, “Bible Stories.” The Torah is not meant to be a history book. Sometimes it will spend pages and pages on one story. Like Abraham taking care of guests. Or Joseph and his brothers. And then it will skip a few hundred years. Not a very complete history! The stories are there because they teach […]