A WEEKLY TORAH THOUGHT FROM RABBI MORDY Besides for this week being the first Parsha in the final book of the Torah (Devarim), it also has a special name: Shabbat Chazon. This refers to the Haftara, the reading after the portion that stems from the Book of Prophets. It’s always read on the Shabbat prior to the 9th of Av,… Read More

A WEEKLY TORAH THOUGHT FROM RABBI MORDY In what can arguably be described as the quickest, most emotionally pinballing four days on the Jewish calendar (I’ve spoken about the five days between Tisha B’av and Tu B’av – the saddest and then a most joyful day during the summer, but that fifth day gives us an extra day of transition),… Read More

A WEEKLY TORAH THOUGHT FROM RABBI MORDY Well, we have something this year that we haven’t experienced in some time. This year, Yom Kippur falls out on Shabbat. In fact, strangely, while it is by no means a typical Shabbat; no meal, not much rest, and missing almost all of the usual items that come along with Shabbat, it is… Read More

A WEEKLY TORAH THOUGHT FROM RABBI MORDY So it begins! The new year has finally arrived – at least the Jewish new year – and it could not come soon enough. As the new year brings new “Mazel,” luck, let us hope that things only get better from here and that we are all blessed with a peaceful, sweet, happy… Read More

A WEEKLY TORAH THOUGHT FROM RABBI MORDY This week’s Parsha (Ki Tavo) begins with the law of the first fruits. The law refers to the times when the Jewish people entered the Land of Israel—“Ki Tavo” means, “when you enter.” At that time, they were instructed to bring the first of whatever fruits they were growing (the predominant profession at… Read More