On the second night of Passover, Jews begin counting something known as Sefirat Haomer or “The Counting of the Omer”. Beginning on the first night from number one, we count […]
And Your Brother Shall Live with You The verse in this week’s Torah reading states (25:36), “You shall not take interest from him, and you should fear your God, and […]
Cheesecakes, salads, soups, and more! Shavuot is on the way, and our minds are turning to menu-planning. Luckily for us, Artscroll’s compiled a list of recipes to help out. Whether […]
Another powerful message from Oorah‘s Thursday Thought Series What is the secret to the Jews’ success? Oorah’s Thursday-Thought series continues with a thought-provoking look at the Torah portion of this […]
The Concept of Shemittah “Behar” means on the mountain. On the mountain of Sinai, Hashem (God) communicates to Moses the laws of the “Shemittah” or Sabbatical year: every seventh year, […]
Sefirot are defined as emanations, meaning an abstract but perceptible concept that originates from a source. While we are involved in counting Sefirat Haomer, we also have an opportunity to […]
Parshas Bechukosai depicts the wonderful blessings we will receive if we study Torah properly and keep the Mitzvos (Torah commandments), and the awful curses, God forbid, if we do not. […]
An Oorah Holiday Guide What is Shavuot and when is it celebrated? The holiday of Shavuot (or Shavuos lit. Weeks) occurs on the 6th of the Hebrew month of Sivan. […]
This week’s Torah reading, Parshas Behar, warns us of the terrible curses that will befall the Jewish Nation as a whole if we God forbid forsake the Torah and become […]
Parshat Behar by Blimi Olen In parshas behar we are warned not to take נשך, interest. The word נשך, interest, has the same numerical value as זה נחש, this is […]
Parshat Behar By Rabbi Yitzchak Aryeh Strimber The beginning of this week’s Torah reading introduces us to the Mitzvah (commandment) of Shmitah. The last year of a seven year cycle […]
In most years, the Torah Portions, Behar and Bechukotai are read together, as they are this week. In a Jewish leap year, they are read separately. We will indicate the separation of […]
What type of animal would you bring as an offering to G-d? At the beginning of time, Cain, son of Adam, brought before G-d his most inferior produce, while his […]
Ask the Rabbi with Rabbi Chaim Mintz When the prophet Zechariah (9:9) relates that Mashiach (the Messiah) will come riding on a donkey, is that to be taken literally? Since […]
Ask the Rabbi with Rabbi Chaim Mintz Since women are not obligated to study Torah, why is Torah learning such a significant part of their education in school? And does […]
A Practical Guide to the Traditional Jewish Observance of Shiva for Mourners, their Families and Friends By Dr. Meir Wikler Introduction Jewish tradition encompasses all facets of life. Death is […]
A Missed Opportunity A recruiter recently shared with me an experience he had with a job candidate. They had found him a place that seemed to be a perfect fit […]
What Does It Mean to Sanctify God’s Name? This week’s Torah reading includes a special mitzvah (commandment), the mitzvah of Kiddush Hashem. As the verse says (Vayikra 22:32): “And you […]
Ask the Rabbi with Rabbi Chaim Mintz A Deeper Look at Fire and Torah Every year on Lag Ba’omer, there are bonfires and dancing all over my neighborhood, and my […]
The Torah’s Perspective on the Value of Life A verse in this week’s Torah reading teaches us the level of priority which the Torah gives to our lives. The verse […]
Ask the Rabbi with Rabbi Chaim Mintz Why was Avraham chosen to be the father of the Jewish nation and not Noach, who preceded him and is described by the […]
Ask the Rabbi with Rabbi Chaim Mintz I’m planning to remarry, but when I shared the news with my children, they expressed reservations. What is the Jewish view on remarriage […]
Ask the Rabbi with Rabbi Chaim Mintz I can’t comprehend how the Jewish people could commit the sin of the Golden Calf! How, after witnessing the Ten Plagues, the Splitting […]
