April 12, 2024 / 4 Nisan 5784 We encounter in this week’s Torah portion, Tazria, a profound and paradoxical symbol—the color white. Commonly associated with purity and cleanliness, white in this week’s reading denotes spiritual impurity and “uncleanness.” This striking juxtaposition serves as a focal point for a deeper exploration of our actions, their repercussions, and the associated communal responsibility. Tazria highlights the skin affliction “tzara’at,” often mistranslated from Hebrew as leprosy. However, unlike the irreversible medical condition of leprosy, tzara’at was a reversible Div ..read more

April 5, 2024 / 26 Adar II 5784 A toddler watches their parents and loved ones standing around the Shabbat candles, excited with the formality of everyone’s attention focused on the warm glow of the flames being drawn close by the motion of the encircling hands. Yet, this same toddler is chastised as they try to do the same action when they see the flame of the gas burner flickering, ready to be used to boil that pot of water… why is this so confusing? This week’s Parashat Shemini presents a compelling study of contrasts, particularly around the theme of fire, which serves as a profound metaph ..read more

March 29, 2024 / 19 Adar II 5784 In this week’s Torah portion, Tzav, we delve deep into the intricate world of korbanot, or sacrificial offerings, a central aspect of the spiritual life in the Tabernacle and later Temple period. These offerings range from the olah (burnt offering) that symbolizes complete dedication to Gd, to the asham (guilt offering) and chatat (sin offering) that embody repentance and atonement for wrongdoing, and the zevach sh’lamim (peace offering), expressing gratitude and seeking harmony. Each korban, with its unique purpose and procedure, serves as a tangible expressio ..read more

March 22, 2024 / 12 Adar II 5784 As we prepare to celebrate Purim this weekend, and we delve into the teachings of this holiday and its emphasis on human action within the framework of Divine wisdom, we see a parallel with this week’s Torah portion, Vayikra. The opening of the Book of Leviticus, Vayikra, presents us with Gd’s “call to Moses” (Vayikra 1:1), detailing the offerings and sacrifices that the Israelites are to bring before Gd. This sacrificial system, with its intricate laws and rituals, serves as a tangible expression of the Israelites’ relationship with the Divine, emphasizing an ..read more

The San Antonio Chapter of Hadassah observed February being Heart Health Month in a very enjoyable way – tastings of 5 different Kosher Wines, as presented by certified Alcohol Sampler, Gloria Farina,  a retired Internist.  While handing out 1 oz samples of the wines, Gloria discussed the benefits to our health one may receive by responsibly drinking Kosher Wine ..read more

March 8, 2024 / 28 Adar I 5784 We read in this week’s Torah portion, Vayakhel, profound insights into the essence of community, leadership, and the importance of hope, resilience, and integrity. These values, deeply rooted in our Jewish heritage, were vividly brought to life during this week’s Jewish Federation’s solidarity mission to Israel, specifically to San Antonio’s Partnership 2Gether (P2G) region in the Western Galilee. This mission, aimed at standing with displaced families, supporting regional non-profits, and engaging with local elected officials, served to bear witness to the livin ..read more

March 1, 2024 / 21 Adar 5784 In this week’s Torah portion, Ki Tisa, we encounter the fundamental story of Moses bringing the physical Tablets down from Mount Sinai and encountering the sin of the Golden Calf. In fact, many are not aware that the first set of tablets brought down by Moses were shattered upon witnessing the Israelites dancing and singing to this graven idol. As I prepared for this week’s column, I could not help but reflect that this biblical narrative is not merely a historical recounting but a timeless lesson, especially as I write this while sitting in a café in Israel overlo ..read more

February 23, 2024 / 14 Adar 5784 In this week’s Torah portion, Tetzaveh, we once again read the details of the High Priest’s vestments and the associated rules and regulations for getting him correctly clothed to fulfill his priestly duties. In fact, last year I wrote about the biblical law of shatnez and how the Torah instructs the High Priest to break this preventative law by wearing a unique belt that blends two forbidden materials from ever being used together in a single clothing item. This year, although I once again draw our attention to this strange “positive” do-commandment to mix the ..read more

February 16, 2024 / 7 Adar 5784 In this week’s Torah portion, Terumah, we encounter a pivotal moment in the spiritual journey of the Israelites. Gd instructs Moses in Exodus 25:8 to “let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.” This directive signifies a profound evolution in the relationship between Gd and the Israelites. Upon their exodus from Egypt, the Israelites were led and protected by Gd in the form of a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:20-22). This manifestation of Gd was external, a Divine force guiding and shielding a collection of indiv ..read more

February 8, 2024 “If you lend money to My people, even to the poor among you, do not act toward them as a creditor; you shall not charge them interest.” – Exodus 22:24 (Parasha Mishpatim) Dear Friends, Why not just charge a little interest?” We get this question a lot from people who have just learned that the Hebrew Free Loan Association of San Antonio (HFLA-SA) makes interest-free loans. Their logic is sound: If HFLA-SA charged 5% interest, the cost of our loans would still be affordable to most borrowers, and we would have a revenue stream to support our lending. Even better, if we charged ..read more