Shabbat Shalom: Rosh Hashana Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel — “And [Nehemia] said to them, ‘Go, eat delicious foods and drink sweet beverages, and send portions to whoever has nothing prepared, for [Rosh Hashana] is holy to our Lord. And do not be sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength’” [Neh. 8:10]. Is Rosh Hashana a fundamentally …
This week’s Parsha has been dedicated in loving memory of Harry Sher – Hillel ben Chona z”l on the occasion of his Yahrzeit (2 Tishrei) by the Charif family (Sydney, Australia) Parshat Nitzavim-Vayelech (Deuteronomy 29:9-31:30) Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel — “For this commandment that I have commanded you today …
This week’s Parsha is dedicated with gratitude to Hashem in celebration of the birth of Leia Yardena Elison born to Nicci and Mark, a new sister sister to Kira and the second granddaughter of Ian and Bernice Charif (Sydney, Australia) Parshat Ki Tavo (Deuteronomy 26:1-29-8) Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “You must then make …
Parshat Ki Tetze (Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19) Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel — “Do not withhold the wages due to your hired hand…that very day shall you give him his payment” [Deut. 24:14–15]. This Shabbat, the Eleventh of Elul, marks 47 years to the day of one of the most transformative moments in my life, in the most unlikely of places …
Parshat Shoftim (Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9) Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Dedicated in loving memory of Wendy Hartz by her husband, Michael Hartz, and family on the occasion of her second yahrzeit Efrat, Israel — “When a matter shall arise for you too wondrous for judgment, whether it be capital, civil, or ritual, you shall go up to the judge of those times, …
This week’s edition is dedicated in celebration of the 3rd birthday of Yakira Bryna Elison — 28 Av by her loving grandparents, Ian and Bernice Charif of Sydney, Australia Parshat Re’eh (Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17) Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “See, I am giving before you this day a blessing and a curse…” (Deut 11:26) …
Parshat Ekev (Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25) Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “And it shall come to pass, because you hearken to these laws, safeguarding and keeping them, that the Lord your God shall keep the covenant with you and the mercy that He swore unto your ancestors, and He will love you, and bless you…in the land which …
Parshat Vaetchanan (Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11) Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “When it shall be difficult for you, all of these words [Heb: “devarim”] will find you at the end of the days, and you shall return to the Lord your God and hearken to His voice” [Deut. 4:30]. Curiously, our Sages refer to Tisha b’Av as a festival, …
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 …
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 …