The parsha discusses that there are times when the blessing of Hashem is so great that poverty is eliminated. Rashi explains that when the nation is preoccupied with mitzvos and serving Hashem then His benevolence provides for all. Chasam Sofer however is bothered with the language employed in the Torah…
Hashem constantly monitors the happenings in Israel, His ‘eyes’ are forever there from the beginning of the year until its end. Our Sages question this verse since Hashem always supervises the events of the entire world, not just the Land of Israel. They explain that the entire world’s administration is…
To say this past week was busy would be an understatement! We enjoyed a powerful Tisha B’Av with special guest speaker Ariel Berkowitz. Our weekly learning continues to grow, and we’re even hard at work for a Cholent Cook-off this weekend with the Akiva Experience! Check it all out in…
The well-known declaration that we have used for generations voicing our undying passion and love for Hashem is found in this parsha. Shema, which many of our nation have cried out before sacrificing their lives to sanctify Hashem encompasses a tremendous commitment and devotion accepting Hashem as the omnipotent king…
It is a busy summer here at TJE! Last weekend we enjoyed not one, but 8 different programs from Friday through Sunday! That, plus a special guest speaker at our Wednesday night learning AND a packed Thursday night while our Kiddush Cup teams prepare for their finale! Here is a…
We are in the midst of one of the greatest calamities of all time, the loss of our Batei Mikdash. Both were destroyed on the same day, Tisha B’av, not a coincidence. When the spies debunked the idea of going to Eretz Yisroel and the entire nation wept bitter tears,…
I was in a room not too long ago when the question was asked to some parents about a break from school and how it feels now that their kids are back in school. One replied “it was so great having them home”. The other responded, “it was such a…
The tribes of Gad and Reuven approached Moshe with a startling proposition. They wanted to remain outside the mainland of Israel and take advantage of the tremendous pasture for their flock.
The end of the parsha is a tremendously lengthy discussion of the different sacrifices that we must offer to Hashem. Of course, we must wonder why this discussion is mentioned at this point? Rabbeinu Bachya explains that when Moshe realized that he was not going into Eretz Yisroel he needed…
What a wonderfully packed week it was at The Jewish Experience! We’ve got some fabulous photos from our Family Experience’s recent Sunday Shenanigans, plus a look at our new Mahjong group, our weekly Morning Service and more. Here is This Week in Pictures at TJE:
Bilaam finally ‘convinces’ Hashem that he should be allowed to accompany the entourage sent by Balak to curse the Jewish nation. He is warned not to say anything except that which Hashem permits him to but he erroneously believes that he can ‘outsmart’ the Master of the Universe, a common…
This week’s parsha introduces a novel concept that is really incredibly difficult to comprehend. In fact, it is so complex that even the great mind of King Solomon, the wisest of all men could not grasp this mitzvah. Our Sages tell us that only Moshe was able to fully understand…
The Olami Denver Experience sent a group of 8 young professionals to join a Volunteer trip through Taglit’s OU Israel Free Spirit program. After October 7th Birthright created a new program in which young professionals ages 20-40 are able to go volunteer in Israel– even if they already did birthright! The group…
When you get compliments on how delicious your cholent is, tell them “what makes a good cholent is good guests.”
Today for This Week in Pictures, we’re honored to share some photos captured by Rabbi Danny Wolfe who is currently in Israel as part of a special Birthright Israel program. We’ll have many more photos to share upon his return, but for now, here are a few quick photos from…
The upheaval that Korach caused went far beyond his actual claims against Moshe. His dispute centered upon the seat of power in the nation. He contested Moshe’s authority, Ahron’s appointment as the Kohen Gadol and of course that his cousin was selected to be the head of his particular…
Spanish Golden Age1 Adar Ibn Ezra: While England was working to isolate and diminish the Jewish Community (see last week’s Blast from the Past), around the same time the Jews of Spain were living in a Golden Age. Rav Avraham (ben Meir) Ibn Ezra was born in Tudela in 1089. It was…
8 Adar So besides being my son, Zusha’s, birthday this Shabbat, what else has happened on this day in Jewish history? Can you believe that the Soviets tried to set up a Jewish Utopia in eastern Asia? It’s hard to believe, since we know the Soviets worked so hard to wipe…
14 Adar Most of you heard about Purim in the days of Esther and Mordechai, which was about 2,376 years ago in Persia. A most fascinating thing happened about 2,308 years later… It came to pass in the days of Joseph Stalin, the evil one who ruled from East Berlin…
21 Adar So earlier this year I get a chance to write about Rebbe Reb Zusha and now I get to write about his brother Rebbe Reb Elimelech of Lizhensk (1717-1786) whose yahrzeit is today. Interestingly in a Jewish leap year, the yahrzeit happens twice! The two brothers are famous for their adventures together,…
