Bo – Coming and Going — By Ben
Parshas Bo contains the final three plagues of Egypt. The title of the parsha, “Bo” refers specifically to the way God instructs Moses to approach Pharaoh as he warns him […]
Tag Archives: love
Ki Savo – Joy to the Word — By Ben
It’s 7:25 am …and I’m standing in the Beis Medrish, eyes closed, having just taken three steps forward. The study hall/shul of the Shapells Darchi Noam Yeshiva is silent. I’m […]
For Who Could Ever Learn to Love a Beast? — By Ben
Beauty and the Beast is one of Disney’s most beloved and important films. It was the first animated movie to be nominated for best picture, it ushered in a modern […]
Can You be Commanded to Love God? — By Ben
The month preceding Rosh Hashana is Elul. The rabbis say that the name Elul is an acronym for Ani l’dodi, u’dodi li or I am for my beloved, and my […]
The Dinner Party — By Ben
Recently I was at a friend’s house for Shabbos dinner. And even though it was a Shabbos dinner, the crowd wasn’t particularly observant. Some guests drove there. One person checked their phone. And […]
Pinchas: No Country for Old Zealots — By Ben
The Torah has no shortage of troubling passages. But few are as disturbing as the actions of Pinchas and the Torah’s opinion about them. If you’re unfamiliar with it I’ll give […]
Kedoshim – The Mitzvah EVERYONE can get behind. — By Ben
People have a lot of problems with religion, especially when it comes to the Bible. Parts seem archaic or incompatible with modern living. Punishments can be harsh or unforgiving. Whole sections concern themselves with intricate […]
