Grow Up!

Categories: Ki Teitzei, Parsha

A WEEKLY TORAH THOUGHT FROM RABBI MORDY I know I’ve discussed this before but it’s a lesson worth repeating. This week’s Parsha, Ki Teitzei, contains 74 commandments—huge number! There are many and they span a vast number of topics but I will mention one that contains a profound life lesson. There is a commandment that if you build a house… Read More

You, Yes, You!

Categories: Parsha, Shoftim

A WEEKLY TORAH THOUGHT FROM RABBI MORDY This week’s Parsha continues Moses’s parting message to the Jewish people. Shoftim means “judges,” referring to, as Moses reiterates, those appointed to carry out the principle of “Justice, justice you shall pursue.” Moses then continues to reiterate various laws, including one at the end of the Parsha called the “Eglah Arufa.” It refers… Read More

Choose Wisely!

Categories: Parsha, Re'eh

Choices. Good or bad, right or wrong, so many choices. Why? Why can’t it be easier for us to make decisions just by looking at the facts and determining what’s right? Why is it that often those choices seem unclear? A bit of clarity that we’re doing the right thing shouldn’t be too much to ask! The Torah portion of… Read More

One and All

Categories: Eikev, Parsha

A WEEKLY TORAH THOUGHT FROM RABBI MORDY This week’s a Parsha (Eikev) continues Moses’s recounting of his leadership of the Jewish People. Moses recalls some of the difficult times, as well as the good ones. One new item mentioned in this week’s portion is the second paragraph of the Shema.(The first part of the prayer was taught last week.) Interestingly,… Read More

In Sickness and in Health

Categories: Parsha, Va'etchanan

A WEEKLY TORAH THOUGHT FROM RABBI MORDY This week’s Parsha (Vaetchanan) falls out after Tisha B’Av which we observed on Tuesday. Tisha B’Av is the saddest day on the Jewish calendar and the day on which the first and second Temples in Jerusalem were destroyed. There were many other unfortunate events that occurred on that day; I won’t enumerate them… Read More

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Do you have vision?

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

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Weekly Roundup: August 1, 2025

FOTT Summer Late Night: Riverhounds Game July 2025 Friends on the Town had an amazing first Late Night at the Riverhounds game! We had a great time cheering on Pittsburgh’s favorite soccer team and taking in all the game-day fun, including the Wicked-themed costume contest. The energy in the stadium was electric, and the crowd went wild when the Riverhounds… Read More

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Thoughts and Prayers

A WEEKLY TORAH THOUGHT BY RABBI MORDY This week’s Parsha – or double Parsha as it is both Matos and Massei – concludes the book of Bamidbar, Numbers. This ends the first four books of the Torah; the fifth book, Devarim, begins next week and is written very much from Moses’s perspective. Part of the preparation for this shift in… Read More

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