Death, as we have often noted, is the primary source of tumah, impurity, with a corpse classified…
Chayei Sarah: Growing Old, Staying Young
"And Sarah lived one hundred years, twenty years and seven years; these are the years of Sarah…
Niddah 2: Shammai and Hillel
It is hard to imagine more influential institutions of Jewish learning than those of Beit Hillel…
VaYera: Moving Out of Town
One of the fundamental issues of debate amongst observant Jews regards the degree of openness with…
Niddah: Blood and Water
“And you shall live by them” (Vayikra 18:5). The mitzvot of the Torah are meant to…
Lech Lecha: In Defence of Terach
Our rabbis famously debate the righteousness of Noach. Was he a tzadik only relative to the corrupt…
Masechet Kelim: Time for New Dishes
Seder Taharot opens with masechet Kelim, vessels, which at 30 chapters and 254 mishnayot is far and…
Noach: Defending Noach
For years, psychologists have debated the impact of the environment (nurture) on the development of…
An Introduction to Seder Taharot
Jewish law is generally divided into three distinct areas: issur v’heter, ritual law;…
Shmini Atzeret: Election Day
Tomorrow is Shmini Atzeret. It is also Election Day in Canada. While that is no doubt unfortunate…
V'zot HaBracha: From G-d to Man
When writing a book, a good author will introduce the major themes of the book in the opening…
An Introduction to Masechet Tamid
“The one sheep you shall do in the morning and the second sheep you shall do in the evening…
Shabbat Chol Hamoed: Opposites Attract
Sukkot is a holiday full of contradictions. At the time we celebrate our harvest, we are bidden to…
Yom Kippur: The Day After
“It was on the next day…” (Shemot 18:13). Apparently, something of significance had happened on the…
Yom Kippur: A Great Day!
Our society worships greatness. Whether it be athletes, rock stars, actors or successful business…
Aseret Yemi Teshuva: I Confess
Integral to the teshuva process is the act of vidui, confession. One can intellectually know…
Vayelech: Poetic Licence
"Now, write for yourselves this song and teach it to the Israelites, so that this song will be…