The Light of the Torah Aviel Parente

This week we look toward the Sages for some wisdom where we will find a lesson for the upcoming holiday of Shavu'ot.

On Shabbat this week we read the passage about Amalek from the Torah. Our Sages taught that Haman, the antagonist of the Purim story and Megillat Esther, was of Amalekite descent. So, on the Shabbat preceding Purim, we read through the obligation to remember the evil actions of this ancient tribe, to erase their memory from existence, and to never forget it... Can you spot the issue here? Something is clearly off with this commandment! How can we resolve these conflicting messages? A bit of help from civil rights activist Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. can help us understand this cryptic Mitzvah and how we can take action today. Shabbat Shalom and Chag Purim Sameach!

לעילוי נשמת עליה בת מיכאל ע״ש

What is Shabbat? Is it just a day of rest? Is it a day to connect with the Almighty? Perhaps it's a day of bonding with those closest to us and connecting with our community at large. As we delve into last week's Parsha, Parshat Beshalach, as well as this week's Parsha, Parshat Yitro, we examine the unique commandment to observe the Seventh Day as a day of rest, a day of sanctification, a day dedicated to connecting with the Omnipresent. We will find that in Pirkei Avot (the Ethics of our Fathers) how important a sense of community is also a fundamental element of the Sabbath experience. Carrying on the legacy of beloved mother, wife, daughter, sister, and community member Aliyah bat Micha'el, we can follow her example and inspiration to learn what the true essence of Shabbat and community are. May her Neshama have an elevation, and may Hashem comfort her family and all those in her community mourning this loss. Shabbat Shalom.

Life. Is. Tough. There's no two ways about it. And through all of the struggle and turmoil that we undergo, the ability to recognize all the good that we have becomes quite a challenge; at times, it doesn't seem like the presence of the Almighty is in our midst.

By examining this week's Parsha and the commandment to commemorate all of the wonders and miracles G-d performed for us, we can get a little—but valuable—lesson about miracles and how important it can be to count our blessings.

Enjoy and Shabbat Shalom!

"For a man with a slow tongue he talked a lot."
~ Tevye the Milkman in reference to Moses, Fiddler on the Roof

As Tevye points out, Moshe Rabbeinu spoke a lot despite having a hard time with words. What's the deal with that and why is this an issue? I'll tell you... I don't know. But, there is a valuable lesson to learn in confidence, as well as an underlying message to take away about seeking help, by examining the early leadership of Moshe (and Aharon his brother and spokesperson) in this week's Parsha. Enjoy!

The fact of the matter is: humanity is flawed. That seems to be a recurring theme throughout Sefer Bereisheet, the Book of Genesis (the first of the Chamishah Chumshei Torah, the Five Books of Moses). By following the lead of the characters in this Book, we can take away many lessons and learn how to overcome common obstacles as imperfect beings. On a deeper level though, why is this book included in the Torah despite not sharing much with the other four? Have you ever wondered why these stories make up the first of the Five Books? Watch the video to find out, enjoy and Chazak Chazak V'NitChazek!