Better Than “Live Long and Prosper” — By Ben
“…You can spin a dreidel with Captain Kirk and Mister Spock, both Jewish!” The memorable line from the legendary Adam Sandler ballad, The Hanukkah Song reminds us that Judaism has […]
Tag Archives: parsha
Messages from God — By Ben
I don’t know how many times I had glanced between my wall clock and my microwave’s time display not realizing there was a growing disparity between the two. Knowing I […]
Acharei Mos – Does Judaism believe in Satan? — By Ben
This week’s parsha details a bizarre ritual the Jews were to perform on Yom Kippur. Basically they took two identical goats, one to be sacrificed by the Kohen Gadol (high […]
Yom Ha’atzmaut – A Divisive Celebration — By Ben
Unfortunately, there are many things that divide the Jewish people. Food, prayer styles, politics. Pretty much the only thing we agree on is the comic genius of Mel Brooks. But […]
Vayakhel – The Jewish Meyers Briggs Test – By Ben
As we make our way through the Mishkan parshas, the Torah may not seem as engaging as earlier chapters. But if you look closely, say at the… terumah offering or […]
Mishpatim – How Could a Nation of Slaves Own Slaves? — By Ben
The abolition of slavery is one of the benchmarks of mankind’s progression towards enlightenment and humanity. So to look at the Torah, which not only allows for slavery but instructs you how to […]
Mercy Vs Justice : Names of God — Va’eira — By Ben
I had an English teacher in 9th grade who delighted in making fun of us in front of the whole class. I remember one time he knocked Yuriy Teslyar’s notebook […]
Soften Your Gaze By the Candlelight — By Barbara Heller
One thing I love about living in the “shtetl” as some of my friends and family sweetly call the Jewish community that I live in, is that there are […]
Hidden Agenda – Vayeishev
The story of Joseph may be the most compelling story in the whole Torah. There are dreams, the conspiracy of the brothers, getting sold into slavery, Potiphar’s wife’s seduction, prison, […]
Givers, Takers, and Salt Shakers — Vayeira — By Ben
Parshas Vayeira has plenty to talk about. From Avraham ditching God to do hospitality, to Avraham arguing with God about destroying Sodom and Gemorroah, and ending with possibly the most troubling […]
Six Degrees Of Kosher Bacon 