One brings a korban for one of two reasons: either because one wants to or because one has to. One…
Ki Teitzei: On The Way
Until modern times, travel was viewed as something best avoided. It was slow, uncomfortable, and…
Keritot 13: Under the Influence
In our last post, we discussed the serious prohibition of issuing halachic rulings after having had…
Shoftim: Nothing to Fear
The basic duty of every government is to provide security and protect its citizens from both…
Keritot 13: Let's Not Drink to That
Jewish tradition teaches that we are to celebrate joyous occasions—Shabbat and Yom Tov,…
Keritot 8: The Rabbinic Market
The most basic rule of economics is that of supply and demand. The interaction between these two…
An Introduction to Masechet Keritot
“One should be as careful with a light mitzvah as with heavy mitzvah” (Avot 2:1). …
Eikev: A Long Journey
"According to the days that you spent exploring the land, forty days, a year for a day, you…
Philanthropy Works: We Just Need More of It
Hillel Rapp has identified a serious impediment to solving the tuition crisis—…
Tu BAv: Coming Together
One of the lessons Nehama Leibowitz, z”l, drilled into us during the time I was fortunate to…
VaEtchanan: Learning to Read
Our Torah encompasses all aspects of life: it regulates our existence from the day we are born…
Devarim: Equality for All
With old age comes knowledge of life that can only be gained by experience. Thus, Jewish law…
Temurah 14: Get It in Writing
Night and day reflect polar opposites. The former symbolizes hope and excitement, the latter fear…
Erachin 16: To Rebuke or Not to Rebuke
“How do we know that one who sees something unseemly in his friend, that he must rebuke him?…
Mattot: Split in Half
The centrality of the land of Israel is a basic tenet of Jewish thought. Our Sages note that…
Erachin 16: Where's The Fire!
Which would you prefer? That those who gossip about you do so behind your back and thus, you may…
Erachin 15: To Speak or Not to Speak
“What is lashon hara?” (Erachin 15b). This is a most reasonable question—had…
Balak: Fearless Leadership
Bilaam, the heathen prophet, recognized that the strength of the Jewish people was in their high…