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

Own It!

Categories: Devarim, Parsha

A WEEKLY TORAH THOUGHT FROM RABBI MORDY This Shabbos begins the 5th and final book of the Torah, Devarim, commonly known as Deuteronomy; literally it translates to mean, “words.” These words refer to the ones spoken by Moses as he reiterates the stories, lessons and laws of the Torah. The final book is written in different form as well; Moses… Read More

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Please Pass the Desert

A WEEKLY TORAH THOUGHT BY RABBI MORDY This week we begin the fourth Book of the Torah, the Book of Numbers, also called Bamidbar. Bamidbar is the name of the Parsha as well and, while the book overall is called Numbers, the word Bamidbar is actually translated to mean “in the desert.” It speaks of Moses counting the Jewish people… Read More

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Weekly Roundup: May 30, 2025

FOTT Wellness The FOTT “Create Wellness” event was a vibrant and engaging experience centered around creativity and connection. Friends began by making and customizing their own rainsticks, then explored music and rhythm through interactive games and a drum circle. A variety of creative wellness stations were available, including journal making with prompts, collaborative mural painting, a “create kindness” note station,… Read More

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Moving Mountains

A WEEKLY TORAH THOUGHT BY RABBI MORDY Here we are this week, back at another double portion with Behar and Bechukotai. Behar means, “On the mountain,” referring to Mount Sinai where G-d revealed the Torah to the Jewish nation; the timing is perfect since we are about a week away from the holiday of Shavuot which commemorates this pivotal event.… Read More

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