Our tradition asserts that there are 613 mitzvoth in the Torah. Among these 613 are such beautiful…
Yom Yerushalayim
“And to the city of Jerusalem I will return in mercy”. We waited for close to 1,900 years to regain…
Tuition and Foundations
As summer approaches, day school parents will soon be getting notifications regarding tuition fees…
The Open Society
In his groundbreaking book, The Heretical Imperative, Professor Peter Berger argued that modernity—…
Authenticity
Sin gets bad press these days, because it is experienced as a guest that brings a whole slew of…
Yom Ha'atzmaut: Turning Dreams Into Reality
“When G-d brought back those who returned to Zion, we were like dreamers” (Psalms 126). Who would…
Shemini: Close to G-d
The deaths of Nadav and Avihu have long troubled biblical commentaries. The multiple suggestions…
The Unsinkable Ship: 100 Years After the Titanic Disaster
Despite the passage of 100 years, the sinking of the Titanic holds a special fascination. In fact,…
Pesach: Who Is Invited to the Seder?
"And the more one engages in the recounting the story of the Exodus, the more praiseworthy it is…
Pesach Cleaning: The New Slavery
Like so many children, Pesach was my favourite holiday. Some of my fondest memories revolve around…
Turning Down Jim's Donation
“Poor” Jim Balsillie. Over the past year or so he has watched as the company he led and grew into…
Vayakhel/Pekudei: ReCreation
The Netziv, in his introduction to Sefer Shemot, notes that there is Gaonic tradition that refers…
Shushan Purim: United People, Divided Holiday
“And Haman said to King Achashverosh: There is a certain nation scattered and divided amongst the…
Zachor: History Revisited
“Remember what Amalek did to you...do not forget.” Such memory is more than a biblical command, it…
Casinos
The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation would like to add a casino in Toronto and make lottery…
Terumah: Golden Surroundings
One of the fiercest debates amongst medieval biblical commentaries was the extent to which parts of…
Mishpatim: More Than Slavery
While there are various themes that run throughout Sefer Shemot, that of slavery is perhaps the…