THE SOUND OF SILENCE There is a lot of complex information packed into the 1,673 words in this week’s parasha – more words than in any other parasha in the entire book of Vayikra. Even more significantly, the text is divided up into as many as 18 paragraphs, more than one would expect. Rashi, quoting...
THIS IS THE HOUSE THAT ISRAEL BUILT More verses are devoted to the description of the instructions and construction of the Mishkan than any other project in the entire Bible. After no less than five parashot of detail, the project finally comes to an end in this week’s parasha. We are told: “So, all the...
TAX PRIDE I once attended the shiva of a prominent member of our shul at which his grandson spoke and said that his grandfather used to say “it was a privilege to be able to pay income tax!” The grandfather had grown up in a home with very limited means. When he was eventually in...
THOUGHTFUL GIVING This week, we were reminded of acts of outstanding generosity. Lord Jacob Rothschild passed away. His philanthropy was legendary. He supported many causes in this country and abroad. In particular, his foundation endowed the building of Israel’s Knesset, its Supreme Court and its National Library, the latter he did not merit to see....
A ST. JOHN’S WOOD CHEVRA KADDISHA Four years ago, at the height of the covid pandemic, the United Synagogue Burial Society was experiencing a very high volume of burials. At one point, the situation seemed so serious that we were worried we would not have enough tachrichin or shrouds for burials. Fortunately, we were able...
