Rabbi O ‘s Weekly Parsha: Pekudei (Exodus 38:21-40:3) Lessons from Dunkin Donuts

Lessons from Dunkin DonutsAnd they brought the Mishkan (Tabernacle) to Moses…When all the parts of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) had been made, they were brought to Moses, who actually stood the walls up and erected the Mishkan. Rashi quoting the Midrash explains that due to the massive weight of the materials, none of the people were able to raise it up, so they brought […]

Rabbi O’s Weekly Parsha: Vayakel (Numbers 1:1-4:20)The Need for Millennials and Gen Z Jewish Leaders

This year’s Winter Olympics were about many things besides athletic competition. Many people weren’t enthusiastic because they didn’t want to legitimize a host country committing human rights atrocities. For those who did tune in, questions of national allegiances, drug use and yes, COVID, dominated the headlines. And, of course, there was the question of youth, […]

Rabbi O’s Weekly Parsha: Ki Tisa (Exodus 30:11-34:35)

A Great Winter Experience for Wealthy People After being liberated from Egypt and witnessing the Sinai experience, the Jews build a Golden Calf. Volumes have been written on this subject but we will discuss one seemingly small part of the story. Now it came to pass when he (Moses) drew closer to the camp and saw the […]

Rabbi O’s Weekly Parsha : Tetzaveh (Exodus 27:20-30:10) Diamond in the Rough

Rabbi O’s Weekly Parsha : Tetzaveh(Exodus 27:20-30:10) Diamond in the Rough You shall place both stones on the shoulder straps of the ephod, remembrance stones for the Children of Israel. (Exodus 28:12) Moses was commanded to make garments for the Cohen Gadol—‘high priest.’ Included in these was a piece of clothing similar to an apron called the ephod. It […]

Rabbi O’s Weekly Parsha: Vaeira (Exodus 6:2-9:35)

How to Deal with an Unmanageable Life The Parsha begins with the Almighty telling Moses that He is the same G-d Who appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, that He has heard the cries of His persecuted nation and is aware of His covenant with them. Therefore say to the Children of Israel, “I am […]

Rabbi O’s Weekly Parsha: Vayechi (Genesis 47:28-50:26)

Discovering Your Inner Youth It is the end of an era. Jacob has finally been reunited with his beloved Joseph and he lives the final seventeen years of his life in peace, surrounded by children and grandchildren. Joseph had two sons in Egypt and now Jacob, soon to die, talks to Joseph about them. Now, […]

Rabbi O’s Weekly Parsha: Vayigash (Genesis 44:18-47:27)Stop Sleeping and Start DreamingI am Joseph; is my father still alive? (Genesis 45:3)

I am Joseph; is my father still alive? (Genesis 45:3)These words are the climax of one of the Torah’s most dramatic stories. Joseph, the second most powerful person in Egypt, reveals his identity to his unsuspecting brothers. Question:  Why did he wait 22 years before telling his father (Jacob) that he was safe and thriving in […]

Chanukah 5782-2021:Transforming Our Monsters

Eric A. Kimmel’s  book Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins, is a Chanukah favorite for many children; here’s a brief summary.Hershel, a wandering Jew, wanders upon a Jewish village on Chanukah and notices that no one is lighting Chanukah candles. The villagers explain to him that a group of goblins have been tormenting the village during the Chanukah […]

Rabbi O’s Weekly Parsha: Mikeitz (Genesis 41:1-44:17) Chanukah and Your Ability to Be A Role Model

 Pharaoh had two disturbing dreams, neither of which could be explained by anyone in his court. Pharaoh’s wine steward had seen Joseph’s ability to explain dreams when the two were cell mates in prison. He suggested that Joseph, a young Hebrew slave, might be able to explain Pharaoh’s disturbing dreams. Desperate for a suitable interpretation, […]

Rabbi O’s Weekly Parsha: Vayishlach (Genesis 32:4-36:43)

How to Deal with Anti-Semitic Supermodels (Introduction: After living with his deceitful father-in-law for twenty years, Jacob decided to depart with his family. He was informed that his brother—Esav—was on route with 400 to kill him.) If you were Jacob, what would you do when hearing about the impending danger? He did three things.  1) He […]

Rabbi O’s Weekly Parsha—Vzot Habracha (Deuteronomy 33:1–34:12)Become the Person You Chose to Emulate.

 And the sons of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab…. (34:8)The men mourned when Moses died but when his older brother, Aaron, died sometime before that, the entire house of Israel cried over his loss, then, everyone, both men and women, mourned his loss. This Parsha occupies itself with the praise of Moses, and […]

Rabbi O’s Weekly: Yom Kippur 5782-2021 Why is it So Hard to Change?

Rabbi O’s Weekly: Yom Kippur 5782-2021Why is it So Hard to Change? For Jews, this is the season we talk about repentance. Although that word might entail negative connotations, it is derived from the Latin, and literally means regret. Most people, honest people, look back at their day, week, month, year, or life with some level of regret. […]

Rabbi O’s Weekly Parsha: Nitzavim (Deuteronomy 29:9-30:20) How to Read Your Life’s Book Behold, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil…(Deut. 30:15)

Doing good is a choice, but it is not limited to acts of beneficence, it also means that you see the good in your life, health, family, friendships, sustenance and so many other blessings that many people overlook. We choose whether we will feel entitled or blessed. An extreme example of how we choose to […]