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 as the dough was baking. By entering the ovens the frogs could expect to die. Yet, the frogs excelled in their…
Lag B’Omer Reflections: To Illuminate the Darkness by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine Pesach marks the time of redemption from the slavery in Egypt; Shavuos marks the time when the Torah was given. The days of counting between Pesach and Shavuos are days of transition between freedom and what exactly what we intend to do with that freedom. The goal each year is to arrive at Shavuos with the perspective that our freedom shall be channeled to Torah-…
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 Baal Tashchis: Not to be wasteful. This undoubtedly teaches us to be responsible both with products we use, as well as regarding the world…
Watering the Eternal Ark by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine Noach built a Teiva and he used it well. For just over a year he, his family, and the animals of the world stayed on this Ark, and through it were protected from the flood. Once the Ark had served its purpose, however, it was discarded. Let us take a few moments to contrast the Ark with the Mishkan, the sanctuary that the Jews built in the desert. The dimensions of the Teiva were 300 x 50 amos….
Are You An Angel? by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine One of the greatest moments in Jewish history is when the Jewish people were redeemed from Egypt. Yet, in this week’s parsha, just as the Torah is about to describe the dramatic redemption process, the Torah digresses to genealogy. When the suspense is greatest, the story about to reach its climax, the Torah begins to tell us Moshe’s lineage. Why is it suddenly so important for us to know who Moshe’s…
I-m-perfect Utopia by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine Following the exodus from Egypt, the Jews were provided for in the desert in a most remarkable way. Food was provided daily in the form of the Manna; drink was provided from a special fountain. Their clothes miraculously grew with them and were perpetually cleaned by the Clouds of Glory which surrounded them. On the spiritual front as well, there were plenty of mitzvah opportunities. The Jews lived in…
The Talmud describes a Mitzvah to drink on Purim until he does not know the difference between “Cursed is Haman, and blessed is Mordechai” which we discuss on take Ten for Talmud Megila 7- Drinking Wine on Purim. Following this statement, the Talmud relates a story of a terrible accident which occurred as a result of excessive drinking, and the Shulchan Aruch suggests that as a result of the accident, the Halachic conclusion is that “Some…
…Listen to Chapter 22 – Anavah – Humility – Part 2 http://teach613.org/wp-content/uploads/my/chapter22b_Anavah_Humility_2.mp3 Download MP3 Watch the Shiur…
Risen includes several responsive shortcodes as shown in action below. Tabbed Content First Tab Second Tab Third Tab Last Tab In principio creavit Deus caelum et terram. Propterea sicut per unum hominem in hunc mundum peccatum intravit et per peccatum mors et ita in omnes homines mors pertransiit in quo omnes peccaverunt. Sic enim dilexit Deus mundum ut Filium suum unigenitum daret ut omnis qui credit in eum non pereat sed habeat vitam…
…Listen to The Haughtiness Factor http://teach613.org/wp-content/uploads/sh/11_The_Haughtiness_Factor.mp3 Download MP3…
