Korah and the End Of War This week’s Torah portion recounts how Korah the Levite and his supporters were punished for his arrogance. As we read: “…the ground beneath them split open. The earth opened its mouth and swallowed them…” (Numbers 16:31–32). Too, the United States, to help Israel, sent
Last month, we celebrated Purim, whose essence is encapsulated in the verse from the Book of Esther: “The enemies of the Jews had hoped to dominate them, but it all turned around, נהפוך הוא, and the Jews ended up dominating their enemies” (Esther 9:1). Indeed, Purim teaches us that things
Psychedelics or Zohar? The former has informed my spiritual journey way back when. In the 90s, way before my Rabbinic ordination, I had the unusual privilege of joining my Rabbi and spiritual teacher along with his colleague in smoking the ganja (weed) before a Kabalat Shabbat event. Undoubtedly, with the
In Tractate Ta’anit, it is stated: “Just as during the month of Av we decrease in joy, so too, during the month of Adar we increase in joy.” Indeed, the sages instruct us to encourage and amplify joy not only on the days of Purim itself but throughout the entire
Sermon, Rosh HaShana 2nd Day 5784 Bet Israel Masorti Synagogue, Natanya Israel Rabbi Reuben Modek וַיְהִ֗י אַחַר֙ הַדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֔לֶּה וְהָ֣אֱלֹהִ֔ים נִסָּ֖ה אֶת־אַבְרָהָ֑ם וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלָ֔יו אַבְרָהָ֖ם וַיֹּ֥אמֶר הִנֵּֽנִי׃ (בראשית כב״ א פרשת וירא) Some time afterward, God put Abraham to the test, saying to him, “Abraham.” He answered, ”Hineni”, Here I am. What
