Parshat Miketz by Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of December 18, 2009/ 1 Tevet 5770 On the eve of his birthday the Egyptian monarch has two dreams that vex and try his sanity. “In the morning he … more

Parshat Vayeshev by Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of December 11, 2009/ 24 Kislev 5770 Before the infamous sale of Yosef — in which the role of Yosef’s brothers is the subject of much debate — … more

Parshat Vayishlach by Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of December 4, 2009/ 17 Kislev 5770 Our tradition maintains that one merit Yaakov had over his father and grandfather is that all of his sons … more

By Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of November 27 2009/ 10 Cheshvan 5770 Before they went out of style, mother-in-law jokes were very popular. Have you ever heard of a father-in-law joke? I have not, … more

Parshat Toldos by Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of November 20, 2009/ 3 Cheshvan 5770 One of the fun exercises I like to employ when studying Chumash is to attribute vague or ambiguous statements … more

Parshat Chayei Sara by Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of November 13/ 26 Cheshvan 5770 Take a careful look at Bereishit 24:67. “And Yitzchak brought Rivka to his mother’s tent. He took … more

Parshat Vayera By Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of November 6, 2009/ 19 Cheshvan 5770 I always thought the story of Lot’s daughters was not taught in grade school because the material is … more

By Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of October 30th/ 12 Cheshvan 5770 Our community has a lot to say about the "shidduch crisis." First, we blame the singles themselves. Why can't young people … more

By Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of October 30 2009/ 12 Cheshvan 5770 On my children’s bookshelf there is a book entitled “A Little Boy Named Avram.” The book follows one of the midrashic … more

Parshat Noach By Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of Oct. 23, 2009 / 5 Cheshvan 5770 In 7:7, Noach and his wife, along with his three sons and their wives, entered the ark. The Ba’al Haturim … more