What is a Mitzvah? by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine The story of the golden calf is a story that seemed to be paved with good intentions. Like so many disasters in the history of mankind, the rationale seemed so logical. When Moshe ascended the mountain and did not return on the date that the Jews expected more »
Are you a Pronoun? by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine This week’s Parsha is unique in that the name of Moshe cannot be found. This is unique because from the time that Moshe was introduced to us in Parshas Shimos until Chumash Devorim when Moshe will review the Torah, there is no Parsha totally missing his name, more »
Miracle Grow by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine Parshas Terumah is about the building of the Mishkan. It took a great deal of patience, talent, and devotion. But at the end, despite all the effort, the Mishkan couldn’t happen without a miracle. The Medrash tells us that Moshe couldn’t understand how mankind would be able to build more »
Do You Communicate? by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine The great revelation at Sinai was a most significant moment in the experience of communication. The event is described as an experience like “eating and drinking,” a real, live, enjoyable experience. Moshe, the leader of the people, achieved an even greater level of communication with G-d. “Mouth to more »
The Fiery Locomotive by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine The Parsha in which the Torah is given is called “Yisro,” after Yisro, the father in law of Moshe who comes to the Jews in this week’s Parsha. Yisro sees Moshe judging the people singlehandedly and suggests that Moshe delegate authority to his students. Moshe listens and the more »
Don’t be a Sore Winner by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine The Parsha begins by describing the first precious days of freedom as the Jewish people left Egypt. Just as they were beginning their journey, Pharoh had a change of heart, gathered his troops, and decided to give chase. Pharoh’s decision is confusing. Just days ago he more »
Do you have an exit plan? by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine The Jewish people were just about ready to go. After decades of slavery they were told that upon the next plague they would be set free. Suddenly, though, a mitzvah is given to them through Moshe. “Please tell the people that they should ask from more »
The Frog: Greater than Dovid, and The Birth of Perek Shirah by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine The plagues had finally begun. First it was blood, then it was frogs. G-d was finally bringing retribution on the Egyptians. Interestingly, the Midrash tells us regarding the frogs that they went literally everywhere. They even went into the ovens more »
The Jewish Home by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine The Parsha begins by reviewing the names of Yakov’s children who entered Egypt. One wonders: Why does the Torah need to repeat their names? Anyone who has been studying Torah until now hasn’t forgotten the names of Yakov’s children. Even more troubling is the order in which the more »
The Ten Minute Chazzan by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine The Chashmonoim- or Maccabees, as they are commonly called- were talented people planted in history at a critical time. They were known as scholars and priests, but they became military leaders and motivational speakers when the times required. Most interesting is the attribute ascribed to them in more »