News & Events
The Glass Mechitza
Article by: RABBI STEWART WEISS ”The hidden things belong to the Lord your God” (Deut. 29:28) Each one of us has his or her own secrets, but there are no secrets from the all-knowing God. Periodically, the Almighty, in His wisdom, chooses to reveal to the world at...
Who Says Havdala, And On What?
Article by: RABBI STEWART WEISS Following Shabbat, we recite Havdala, which includes 3 brachot: On wine or grape juice (reciting Borei Pri HaGafen); on spices, such as cloves or cinnamon (reciting Borei Minai B'Samim); and on a multi-wicked candle (reciting Borei...
Does Jewish Law Permit Owning Statues?
The 2nd of the 10 Commandments has to do with creating artwork, idols, or icons that represent living beings or celestial objects. The Pasuk says: You shall have no other gods beside Me. You shall not make for yourself a sculptured image, or any likeness of what is in...
Parsha Summary: YITRO
Hearing of the miracles G-d performed for Bnei Yisrael, Moshe's father-in-law Yitro arrives with Moshe's wife & sons in the desert. Yitro, impressed by Hashem’s power, converts & joins Am Yisrael. He recommends that local judges be appointed to adjudicate...
What Exactly Was Moshe’s Speech Impediment?
Our Sedra records Moshe describing himself as having “sealed (‘uncircumcised’) lips.” Earlier, he had said he was “heavy of mouth, heavy of tongue.” We know the famous Medrash that the angel Gavriel moved baby Moshe’s hand to grab a glowing coal, after which he put...
Parsha Summary: VAERA
Hashem tells Moshe to inform the Jewish People that He is going to take them out of Egypt, but the Jewish People do not listen. Hashem commands Moshe to go to Pharaoh & ask him to free the Jewish People. Although Ahron shows Pharaoh a sign by turning a staff into...