by Rabbi Chanan Morrison The Torah reading of Terumah begins the section dealing with building the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and making the priestly clothes. These chapters are among the few in which the Torah places great emphasis on external beauty — art, craftsmanship, and aesthetics. Of particular interest is the protagonist of this unique construction: the [...] Read more »

In the Torah portion of Mishpatim we read of an astounding account: And Moses and Aaron, Nadav and Avihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel ascended, and they perceived the G-d of Israel, and beneath His feet was like the forming of a sapphire brick and like the appearance of the heavens for clarity.. [...] Read more »

by Rabbi Chanan Morrison “Moses awoke early in the morning and climbed Mount Sinai.” (Ex. 34:4) The text emphasizes that Moses ascended the mountain at daybreak to receive the Torah. The Sages taught that Moses’ subsequent descent from Sinai to transmit the Torah to the people also took place at first light. “Just as his [...] Read more »

Based on the writings of HaRav Avraham Yitzchak HaCohen Kook zts”l Why was God in a hurry at the time of the Exodus? “This is how you must eat [the Passover offering]: with your waist belted, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you must eat it in chipazon – [...] Read more »

What are we to learn from the first commandment given to the people of Israel as a people; “ And HaShem spoke unto Moshe and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying: ‘This (HaZeh) month will be to you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you.” ( [...] Read more »

by Gavriel Horan ( Hamodia English Newspaper) “You cannot explain one moment of my survival without miracles.” Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau, currently the Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv and Chairman of Yad Vashem, and the former Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel, is one of my personal heroes. I have long desired to meet him face [...] Read more »

The world is suffering from a dearth of leadership. Leaders are blown from side to side by the powerful winds of political correctness and societal whims. Truth is ignored and life and death decisions are postponed. Arrogance has replaced discernment and small mindedness has overtaken vision and principle. All this is done , so that [...] Read more »

by Rabbi Chanan Morrison Before his death, Jacob blessed each of his sons. He blessed his beloved son Joseph with:”Blessings of heaven above, blessings of the abyss lying beneath; blessings of plenty and children. The blessings of your father are superior to those of my parents, until the desired hills of eternity.” (Gen. 49:25-26) Why [...] Read more »

Rabbi Chanan Morisson The very first exile of the Jewish people, the exile to Egypt, began as Jacob and his family left the Land of Israel. They intended to spend a short stay in Egypt until the famine passed. The Midrash (Yalkut Shimoni Hosea 528) makes a startling observation: “Jacob should have gone down to [...] Read more »

by Rabbi Ari Goldwag How the High Holiday season actually culminates with Chanukah. When we think of the month of Kislev, we naturally think of the holiday of Chanukah that begins on the 25th day of the month. Looking on a deeper level, we can discern a thread that ties together the three-month period that [...] Read more »