Judaism has always placed tremendous emphasis on intellectual achievement and development. …
Re'eh: Divine Love
How can you tell if somebody loves you? We all understand that words alone are hollow, and that it…
Eikev: The Big Bribe
The measure of a human being is revealed by the little things. The greater the person, the more one…
Vaetchanan: Seeking Comfort
Our Sages ordained that we should read parshat VaEtchanan on the Shabbat after Tisha B’Av…
Tisha B'Av: Constructive Hatred
One does not have to look very hard to find sources within our tradition that allow, encourage, or…
Devarim: Where is the Temple?
Each one of the five books of the Chumash has a unique central theme, be it the choosing…
Humbling History
I have long had an interest in Jewish history, finding it inspiring and illuminating to be part of…
Mattot-Massei: United We Stand
When the eighth day of Pesach falls on Shabbat, those of us living outside of Israel lain…
Commentary from Cascais
Portugal is one of the few countries in Europe in which no Jews were deported during World War ll.…
Beauty in Belmonte
The ancient town of Belmonte is nestled in the mountains of Portugal, with breathtaking views and…
Forced to Convert
When one thinks of recent world powers, it is unlikely many would think of Portugal. But had we…
Landing in Lisbon
I last travelled abroad in February 2020 to visit our daughter studying in Israel. Arriving back in…
Pinchas: Next Leader Please
Success and great leadership go hand in hand. That is why organizations, sports teams and even…
Balak: Reality Check
In a world in which image and marketing play such a crucial role, perception is often more…
Chukat: It's Only Natural
Judaism has always understood that miracles have very little long-term impact on one's behaviour.…
Korach: Power Outage
The lust for power can destroy a person. It is amazing how people who are otherwise very competent…
Shelach Lecha: The Wrong Fit
Having the right people for the wrong job can lead to tragic consequences. Such was the fate of the…
Beha'alotcha: Dan and Din
“[Then journeyed] the flag of the camp of Dan m'aseif, the gatherer, of all the camps” (…