“Jerusalem, the Heart of Judaism” — Rabbi Shlomo Riskin speaks about Parshat Devarim Rabbi Shlomo Riskin

Parshat Devarim (Deuteronomy 1:1 – 3:22) Rabbi David Stav  This Shabbat, we will begin a new book of the Chumash, the Book of Devarim (Deuteronomy). The special name given to this Shabbat ­– Shabbat Chazon, which immediately precedes the fast day of Tisha b’Av ­– is associated with the first haftarah of the book of Deuteronomy, which begins: …

Parshat Devarim (Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22) Rabbi Shlomo Riskin           Efrat, Israel — “How (eichah) am I able to bear your contentiousness, your burdens and your quarrels?!” [Deut. 1:12] Just prior to the conclusion of the 1978 Camp David Accords, U.S. President Jimmy Carter submitted a letter for Prime Minister Menachem Begin that caused …

“The Daughters of Tslofhad, The Conversion Courts, and Taking All Sides Into Account” — Rabbi Shlomo Riskin’s insights into Parshat Matot-Masei Rabbi Shlomo Riskin

Parshat Matot-Masei (Numbers 30:2 – 36:13) Rabbi David Stav  The first part of this week’s Torah portion deals with vows. According to Torah law, if a man makes a vow, i.e. forbids himself from enjoying a particular object, or contributes that object as an endowment or charity, that man must keep his vow. If not, he will be transgressing a prohibition …

This week’s edition is dedicated in loving memory of Hymie Charif – Refael Chaim Yeshayahu, z”l on the occasion of his 2 Av Yahrzeit by his family in Sydney, Australia Parshat Matot-Masei (Numbers 30:2-36:13) Rabbi Shlomo Riskin           Efrat, Israel – “This is the matter that the LORD has commanded concerning the …

“Zealotry or Due Process – What is the Correct Path?” — Rabbi Shlomo Riskin’s insights into Parshat Pinchas Rabbi Shlomo Riskin

Parshat Pinchas (Numbers 25:10-30:1) Rabbi Shlomo Riskin           Efrat, Israel – “Do battle against the Midianites and smite them. They are your enemies because of the plot which they plotted against you concerning the incident involving Pe’or and the incident involving Kozbi the daughter of the Prince of Midian, their sister, who …

Parshat Pinchas(Numbers 25:10 – 30:1) Rabbi David Stav  Looking at our Hebrew calendars, we notice that we have now entered “The Three Weeks”, which began on the seventeenth of the month of Tammuz, the day the walls of Jerusalem were breached, and will end on the ninth of the month of Av – Tisha b’Av, the day the Holy Temple was destroyed. …

“Do We Care What the Nations of the World Think of Us? — Rabbi Shlomo Riskin’s thoughts on Parshat Balak Rabbi Shlomo Riskin