Prince Charming doesn’t always find Cinderella, and stories do not always have “happy” endings, as most of us learn the hard way. I remember once, after a harried chase, … more

In the descriptions of three of the elements of the to-be-constructed mishkan, the Torah includes the phrase “as you saw/were shown in the mountain.” more

After the Korach episode, Moshe is told by G-d to tell his nephew Elazar to take the fire pans of those who perished bringing the k’toret, and hammer them out in order for them to become covers … more

There was a time when I would only go out of my way to listen to speakers who were older and more experienced than I. Recently, however, I have changed my preferences and have begun to seek out … more

Three thousand years ago, King Solomon wrote in the book of Kohelet (Ecclesiastes) that there is a time and a season for everything under the sun. “A time to sing, and a time to dance, a … more

It was perhaps the single greatest collective failure of leadership in the Torah. Ten of the men Moses sent to spy out the land came back with a report calculated to demoralize the … more

The Torah requires us to celebrate three major festivals — Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot — and to do so joyously. Our Sages instituted two additional festive holidays, Chanukah and … more

Parashat Vayetze informs us that Rachel, like Sarah and Rivka before her, was barren. Finally, after many long years, the Torah states, “vayizkor Elokim et Rachel (and G-d remembered Rachel), … 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 Lech Lekha By Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of October 15, 2010, 7 Cheshvan 5771 The word “Tardemah” — an unconscious state — appears only twice in the Torah: Bereishit 2:21 — … more