Timeless Torah

“If a man takes a wife…and it comes to pass that she does not find favor in his eyes because he discovers in her a promiscuous matter - he should write her a writ of divorce.” (3 opinions – Shammai, Hillel, Rabbi Akiva)  read more »

They came from all over the world, seeking, their fortune, their freedom and most important a better life for their children. Towards their end they shared and saved.
For most of us, be it our parents, our bubbies or zaidies, or great-grandparents who made the often perilous trek to America, the dream came true. The luxuries that our ancestors could only dream of have today become accepted as necessity. What they did not have we do; leisure time, retirement plans, the freedom to choose our careers, access top most anywhere in society, vacations, higher education...and the list goes on.  read more »

It is axiomatic among our people that the weekly Torah portions and the time of the year they are read are not coincidental. Thus it is no accident that the Biblical section dealing with the rebellious son occurs when youngsters are re-entering school after a long summer of fun and play.  read more »

The rebellious son whose parents said to the city elders,“This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious. He will not obey us. He is a profligate and a drunkard,” was stoned to death. The Torah offers this logic: Purge this evil from among you. All Israel will hear of it and be afraid.  read more »

Atop the list of most used excuses for not getting more involved or lending a hand is the, “I'm too busy” response. This week's Biblical portion forewarns us. The Big Guy upstairs has heard that one before. In commanding us to return lost objects, the Torah states: “You shall not see your brother's ox or sheep go astray and ignore them; return them to your brother. So shall you do with his donkey and his garment.”  read more »

There is no group more entitled to borrow that famous motto from the Marines, “We are the proud, the few,” than Jewish parents who make real sacrifices so that their children can have the best in Jewish education. Interestingly enough, a careful reading of this week’s Biblical portion, which tells of other parents, reveals that this non-homogeneous society consisting of Jewish fathers and mothers is indeed suited for the role of G-d’s front line soldiers.  read more »

The topic of divorce receives scant Biblical attention. In fact, the entire issue is covered in basically one sentence of this week's Torah portion. Nevertheless, a more comprehensive analysis by the Sages created a whole Talmudic tractate devoted to this very subject. The opening Mishna of that volume is strikingly unusual. Instead of beginning with the basic rules; how a divorce is written, when is divorce a legal option, etc., it opens with this peculiar, uncommon scenario. "The bearer of a scroll of divorce from a husband in a foreign country (outside the land of Israel) is required to declare, 'In my presence the divorce was written and in my presence the divorce was signed.'"  read more »

How often have you heard the sentiment, “I may not be religious, but I am a good, decent person.”

Somehow over the course of time, a notion has taken root in many minds that Divine dogma only addresses the ancient rituals practiced in the halls of study and prayer. However for the vast multitude of activities that occur in the street or in the boardroom - the prosaic, everyday labors, we call life - those are not to be guided by Heavenly wisdom but by the hustlers of contemporary fashion and finance.  read more »

The immediate prelude to the Sin of the Golden Calf is, “To make the Shabbos throughout their generations...It is an eternal sign between Me and the Children of Israel.” The discerning reader must wonder what is the connection between Shabbos and the Golden Calf, that renders the former the introduction to the latter?  read more »

It was a classic case of golden opportunity, national meltdown, Golden Calf. In other words, after having raised themselves to the spiritual heights offered at Sinai, the Israelites plunged themselves into a morass deeper than the mudpits of Egypt.  read more »