Hi, Sometimes we just need to be reminded of things we know. And I can’t improve on my Torah Minute of last September 11th. It’s worth thinking about as Rosh Hashanah approaches. … Where were you when…? I think every generation has one major event. Something that changes our lives for ever. When I was […]

Last Tuesday was Tisha B’av, the one day set aside in Jewish tradition for mourning. I led a service in which we tried to connect to the suffering of Jews throughout history. We tried to feel their pain as well as to be inspired by their strength. How despite what they went through, they held […]

Hi, Next Sunday night and Monday is Tisha B’av. The ninth day of the Jewish month of Av. The saddest day in the Jewish calendar. Many tragedies happened to the Jewish People on that day throughout history. Including the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem by the Romans in the year 70. … For two […]

I always appreciate feedback from Torah Minute readers. And quiet a few were inspired by the stories about Rabbi Manis Mandel. … The world is very far from the ideals of Rabbi Mandel. In some very obvious ways. Like terrorism, violence and just plain lack of respect. And the next day, my wife told me […]

Hi, You could have thought you were reading a Torah Minute. But it wasn’t. It was Prime Minister Ehud Olmert speaking in the Knesset. His speech was a masterpiece. And it was very Jewish! He spoke about the need for us to defend ourselves. About the strength and determination of the IDF. And the spirit […]

Hi, I assume that by now you have heard of the suicide bombing in Netanya. It’s very sad when we find ourselves saying, “Thank G-d, only two people killed”. But we do need to say it. … I wanted to share two experiences that I had today. This morning at synagogue, I noticed an elderly […]

Hi, Here’s something to think about as we sit down to the Seder. …We read about the great Rabbi Akiva and five other Rabbis of the Talmud. How they stayed up all night talking about the Exodus from Egypt. And it’s easy for this story to get overlooked. Especially when everyone smells the delicious food! […]

Hi, Before we leave Egypt? We should think about why we were there to start with. Why was it G-d’s “master plan” that we become a nation in Egypt? What’s wrong with Florida! And why did we have to be slaves in Egypt? … Jewish tradition has many insights into this question. Here’s one. The […]

Hi, Hope you’re having a great day. The new Egyptian king sees the Jews as a threat and enslaves them. (Exodus, 1:8-2:10) He orders the Jewish midwives to kill every newborn Jewish boy. But the midwives “feared G-d” and defied the order.  They kept the boys alive. So Pharaoh issued a new decree.  To his […]

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 […]