The Fisherman Who Got Away by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine As we near the conclusion of the Torah-reading cycle, the Torah informs us that the stakes are high. One who is righteous will be rewarded; one who is wicked will be punished. The Torah states this in very clear terms. “See, I am placing before you more »
Planting with Tears by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine Certain phrases in Jewish Scripture are associated with particular connotations in the collective Jewish memory. One example is the word “Eicha.” From the word “Ayecha”– said to Adam after the first sin, when G-d asked him, “Where are you? What is going to be with you?” –to the more »
First Things First The Jewish farmer was really glad. His trees had blossomed beautifully this year, and now a record crop of fruit was ready to be harvested. It was a busy time. But high on his “to do” list was to go to Yerusholayim and fulfill the special mitzvah of Bikurim. He came to more »
Home Run by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine It was a tragic moment; but they did the best they could under the circumstances. A Jewish soldier found a non-Jewish girl on the battlefield and wanted to marry her. The woman was placed there by the enemy to entice the Jewish soldiers and distract them from their important more »
Can you do it? by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine Following the remarkable revelation at Sinai, Hashem offered to continue communicating directly with the entire people. It was the chance of a lifetime.But the people turned it down. Looking back at that moment, Moshe declares, “You turned me into a woman.” What did Moshe mean by that? more »
Pregnant with Goodness by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine The Tochacha, or rebuke, is one of the hardest sections of the Torah to read. Even the Baal Koreh, with a normally proud and strong voice, suddenly sounds strained and weak as he reads about the exile and the ensuing tragedies. But among the worst, is the statement, more »
Compounded Interests by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine The prohibition against charging interest is a fascinating one. In the world of banking, it is normal for a lender to charge interest on a loan. This charge is similar to the charge that a car rental company imposes if you want to us their product. If you want more »
Beyond Recycling By Rabbi Mordechai Rhine Our generation has started to pay attention. As more and more disposable items enter the market, we have come to realize that we must pay attention to proper usage and to the disposal of items we have used. The concept of recycling finds its roots in the mitzvah of more »
Are you a U-Man? by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine With the fast of Tishah B’av completed, one of the most difficult times of the year is finally behind us. But the perspectives gained can propel us into the upcoming, joyous, holiday season. The Talmud asks, “Why was the Temple destroyed?” The Talmud answers, “Because of unjustified more »
by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine The Parsha begins by telling us that Moshe, at the end of his life, gathered the people to deliver rebuke. He listed their shortcomings one after another. He included the incident of the golden calf, the spies, Korach’s rebellion and more. Amazingly, the people took his words to heart and didn’t more »