A WEEKLY TORAH THOUGHT FROM RABBI MORDY Anyone cold yet? Perhaps a bit tired of this never-ending winter chill? This week’s Parsha – Va’era – is chock full of lessons. It contains the beginning of the Ten Plagues of Egypt and the beginning of the end of slavery. It always seems like it was G-d testing a variety of tortures… Read More

A WEEKLY TORAH THOUGHT FROM RABBI MORDY There is so much to take from this week’s portion (Shemot) regarding leadership. Moses is chosen by G-d to lead the Jewish people during his encounter with the Burning Bush. Again, so many questions all around: Why a bush? Why wasn’t it being consumed? Why was Moses shepherding sheep altogether when he had… Read More

A WEEKLY TORAH THOUGHT FROM RABBI MORDY This week’s Parsha – Vayechi – concludes the Book of Genesis. Upon its conclusion, the synagogue traditionally calls out in unison, “Chazak chazak venischazek!” This translates to mean, “Be strong, be strong and may we be strengthened,” thus giving us a little inspiration and charge to move on into the next book, and… Read More

A WEEKLY TORAH THOUGHT FROM RABBI MORDY This week’s Parsha (Vayigash) concludes the story of Jacob’s sons. Joseph is formally reunited with his brothers as he reveals his true identity to them. They embrace and finally reconnect; Jacob is then given the news that Joseph lives as viceroy of Egypt and that he should come down to dwell there together… Read More

A WEEKLY TORAH THOUGHT FROM RABBI MORDY I’m going to deviate a bit from this week’s Parsha (Mikeitz) to talk about Chanukah, specifically—and I believe I’ve talked about this before—Shabbos and Chanukah together as we prepare for it tonight. We will be lighting Chanukah candles immediately followed by Shabbat candles, then tomorrow night, after Shabbos, we will be reciting Havdala and… Read More