Smicha
On Shavuot, I had the privilege of teaching at my synagogue’s Tikkun Leil Shavuot, the traditional all-night study session. As my ordination ceremony was scheduled for the following week, I […]
Why was God angry at Bilaam?
This week’s Torah portion, Balak, stands out in the book of Numbers. While most of the narrative in the Torah focuses on the Israelites’ journey from Egypt to the Jordan […]
Sefirah and Sefirot
Beginning on the second day of Passover, Jews begin to count the Omer, in Hebrew, Sefirat HaOmer. The Omer was a special offering of barley that was brought to the […]
Wait… Passover can start on Saturday night???
While the first Seder (or the only seder in Israel) CAN happen on a Saturday night, it is not a common occurrence. It only happens 11 or 12 times in […]