-
Selichot: Peeling Away the Layers Over Our Hearts
As we enter the Yamim Noraim, the Days of Awe, the songs on our lips are the poignant words of the Selichot. For Sephardim, beginning on the first day of Elul and for Ashkenazim, at least four days before Rosh Hashana, generally beginning the Sunday before. Moshe ascended the mountain on Rosh Chodesh Elul and
-
Rosh Hashanah: Choosing Your Soulmate
Adam was created on Rosh Hashanah, alone on Earth until one of his ribs was used to create Chava later that same day. Some women envy Chava for the ease with which she acquired a spouse. No bad dates. No weeks pass without a date. No hours wasted picking out outfits and doing makeup. No
-
Ki Tavo: How to Battle Against Sichon
At the end of the parsha, Moshe reminds the people of the miracles Hashem performed for them. From leaving Egypt, to receiving manna from Heaven – and the wars with Sichon, King of Cheshbon and Og, King of Bashan. Rashi tells us that these wars, the precursor to the actual conquering of the land, took
-
Navigating the Paradoxes of Teshuva
In this article, we will delve into two different instances of seemingly paradoxical elements within the concept of teshuva, as explained by Rav Steinsaltz. We will discover that teshuva involves balancing different elements, where these contrasting aspects work together to create a complete and cohesive process. Teshuva: Embracing the Challenge, Igniting the Change Rav Steinsaltz
-
Elul: The Mazal of the Betula
As months go, Elul falls between a rock and a hard place. It has a big job to do as it follows Av, a month where we are told to decrease in our happiness, and precedes Tishrei, the beginning of the year. We have just been deeply involved in intense feelings of loss relating to
-
Ki Teitzei: The Non-Jewish Woman Captive
This week’s parsha begins with the perplexing scenario of eishet yefat toar. Literally translated as “woman of beautiful appearance,” the pesukim outline that under circumstances of war, a Jewish soldier who sees a non-Jewish female captive may take her as his wife, following certain conditions. Here, we will discuss and explore some of the depth
