Shemini

The Reward for a Mitzvah is a Mitzvah

In this week's parshah Aharon's sons pass away during the inauguration of the Mishkan. A fire from Heaven consumes them. After this event the Kohanim are warned not to drink any alcohol when preforming services. Some commentators state that this juxtaposition is to point out that Aharon's sons were punished because they were drunk while they were serving in the Mishkan. Read More

Shemini

"We can lament because rose bushes have thorns or we can rejoice because the thorn bushes have roses". Abraham Lincoln

I was in Far Rockaway for shabbos when it snowed heavily. Naturally, the children wanted to play in the snow. At Shul, the Rabbi gave the best piece of Halakhic advice I ever heard. He said, don’t start the conversation by telling your kids they can’t play in the snow on shabbos.  Start by telling them what they can do on Shabbos, like have a shabbos party and sing songs. Read More





Everything is Awesome

This week's Parsha details the rules regarding Kosher food. The introduction to this section states; these are all the animals that we can eat, then follows by detailing the restrictions. This method parallels the language that God uses when he tells Adam, the first man, about the rules of the Garden. God states, from all the trees you may eat, then he details the one restriction.  

Both sections deal with restrictions, but that is just one way of looking at it. At the outset of each, we are told about what we can enjoy in these categories. The wording of each section directs our focus on the positive not the negative aspects, this is the key to happiness.  Read More