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…
Erachin 15: Money Talks
One would not expect to find the major Talmudic discussion on the laws and moral failings of…
Erachin 4: More Priestly Obligations
In our last post, we began our discussion as to why in so many disparate cases, one might have…
Chukat: Marching On
Judaism is a religion that celebrates life. "Better one hour of repentance and good deeds in…
Musings from Morocco: Lasting Impressions
Visiting Morocco leaves one with both a sense of hope and of despair. The sense of despair…
Musings from Morocco: Shabbat in Marrakech
The city of Marrakech was, for many years, home to the largest Jewish population in Morocco. Today…