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Rabbi Akiva is the hero of the Omer, read at this time of year between Pesach and Shavuot. After suffering hardships and setbacks, he kept on...
The Jewish spirit is alive. And it’s burning brightly. Whether you attribute it to fear, resilience, or a rude awakening, the fact is that Jewish identity...
The number one Jewish question in South Africa furiously making the rounds in the Norwood Pick n Pay and Checkers in Cape Town is, “Where are...
The month of Nissan has special significance in Jewish tradition and is emphasised in the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. Nissan isn’t...
The prophet Micah said, “You will give truth to Yaakov and kindness to Avraham as You took an oath to our forebears from days of old.”...
A recent study came out that doesn’t seem very shocking: children are more likely to ask Google a question than a parent. Most will agree that...
As we come this week to parshat Pekudei, the end of the book of Shemot (Exodus), and prepare to embark on the grand journey into the...
In this week’s Torah portion, we learn about the construction of the Tabernacle in the desert. The Torah commands us to make a dwelling place for...
Our Talmudic sages instruct us to be careful not to embarrass bread. Why would anyone think of embarrassing bread? More puzzling is how does bread get...
One has to wonder why the Torah goes into such great detail to describe the construction of the Mishkan – the Tabernacle – which the Jews...
It took much convincing from my kids, but finally I relented and accompanied them to a cricket game. Admittedly, I don’t have much personal interest in...
This remarkable journey called life is made up of peaks and valleys, triumphs, and disappointments. King David writes in Psalm 92, “It’s good to thank Hashem;...
Sports psychologist Dr Bob Rotella in his book, Golf is Not a Game of Perfect, writes about how golf is inherently a game of mistakes. The...
As the people were busying themselves gathering the spoils of the Egyptian cavalry who had drowned in the Sea of Reeds and washed ashore, Moses, we’re...
Do you know that the Jews left Egypt in haste? Don’t you remember? That’s why we eat matzah on Pesach. “They baked the dough that they...
Usually at this time of year, we’re feeling excited. As Chanukah approaches, we begin to look forward to the annual traditions. We look forward to lighting,...
The past 50 days have given us a new appreciation of our Jewish greeting: “shalom”. When I was a young boy, I was taught that “shalom”...
In this week’s Torah portion, we read that Yaakov encountered three flocks of sheep, together with their shepherds, by the well. We read, further, that a...
I just returned from New York for the annual Chabad Lubavitch Shluchim Conference. It’s our annual opportunity for continued development and growth, to hear each other’s...
The first shidduch in history occurs in this week’s parsha. Abraham sends his faithful servant, Eliezer, to find a bride for his son, Isaac. He hands...
Revolutionary ideas are exciting. Those who act in accordance with these ideas are motivated and enthused, but when they lose their lustre, adherents fall away to...
In this week’s parsha, there’s an interesting verse that makes us question whether according to halacha, one is allowed to accept presents. When Avraham and Sara...
To say that we Jews aren’t popular is an understatement. All too often, we’re downright unpopular. And far worse. Why is this? What is it about...
It was the first murder in humanity. Cain killed his brother, Abel. Adam and Eve had to come to terms with a double tragedy. At that...
Chag Sameach! We are in the midst of celebrating some of the most joyous days in the Jewish calendar. For the past week, we celebrated the...
The Talmud (Rosh Hashanah 16b) tells us that there are three books opened on Rosh Hashanah: “Those who are completely righteous are immediately signed and sealed...
We create so much mind noise for ourselves, from the myriad disappointments to the anxious anticipation of the future. Rosh Hashanah is a time where we...
The penultimate portion in the lead-up to Rosh Hashanah is Ki Tavo. An essential message is contained in the “living Torah” to each of us in...
The 18th day of the month of Elul, or Chai Elul as it’s often referred to, holds dual significance as the birthdays of the Baal Shem...
Every year, at the beginning of the month of Elul, we read the Torah portion of Ki Teitzei, which starts with the words, “When you go...
A chassid left his home shtetl for business purposes. Swiftly, he realised that his chassidic attire seemed entirely out of place amidst the bustling trade fairs...
What did you see when you opened your eyes this morning? Well, if you were like me, not much as it was that 04:00 to 06:30...
When do we think of G-d most? At which moments in our lives are we most cognisant of the creator? And does Hashem ever seem to...
Times have changed, but what about people? Has human nature evolved over the millennia, or are we basically the same as we always were? About five...
What’s the best way to influence people to modify their behaviour? The Book of Deuteronomy begins with Moses castigating his people about their past misbehaviour. He...
I have recently returned from a memorable family trip to the United States. Spending time in a different country and city allowed me to reflect and...
“Pick me … please!” When I was at high school, I wasn’t much of a sportsman. I clearly remember how the selection process for soccer practice...
One of the most famous topics of the double parsha of Chukat and Balak is the Para Aduma, the red cow that, when used correctly, has...
One of the most well-known and frightening lessons of the entire Torah comes from the portion of Korach. Korach and his assembly chose to have a...
The spies were sent on a mission to reconnoitre the land. They came back with a negative report for the people. As a result, the spies...
