Messages from August 2020

Rabbi O’s Weekly Parsha: Ki Teitzei (Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19)Outlast Your Past

August 28, 2020
Deuteronomy
Ki Teitzei

We no longer can identify who the biological decendants of the ancient Egyptians are and therefore the commandment in the verse below no longer applies. Nonetheless, its underlying lessons are as applicable as ever.]…Do not despise the Egyptian, for you were a stranger in his land. (Deuteronomy 23:8)In addition to enslaving the Jews for over two […]

Weekly Torah PortionRabbi O’s Weekly Parsha: Shoftim (Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9)A Watershed Moment for an IDF Mom

August 21, 2020
Deuteronomy
Shoftim

When the Jewish people would come into the Land is Israel, they are told not to engage in one of the most common activities of the gentile nations of the time—witchcraft.Whoever does these things is an abomination to G-d…Walk with a pure heart with HaShem, your G-d. (Deut. 18: 12-13)Although we don’t find too many Jews today being […]

Rabbi O’s Weekly Parsha: Re’eh (Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17)Dropping the Weight

August 14, 2020
Deuteronomy
Re'eh

For a seven-day period you will celebrate before Hashem, your G-d… for Hashem, your G-d, will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, and you will have nothing but joy. (Deut. 6:15)Are the words “you will have nothing but joy” a mitzvah? Rashi says no, rather they are a promise […]

Rabbi O’s Weekly Parsha: Eikev (Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25)Acknowledge When You Go to College

August 7, 2020
Deuteronomy
Eikev

You will eat and be satiated and bless G-d, for the Land that He gave you.(ibid. 8:10).When we eat a meal with bread, we recite special blessings afterward, the source of which is found in the verse above. Two questions: (1) Does G-d really need my blessing? (2) Many world religions have blessings connected to […]