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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...
The Asafsuf, a group of complainers that were sick of being manna eating vegans, turned to Moshe and demanded meat. Hashem responded by flying in an...
This week’s Haftorah deals with one of Jewish history’s most enigmatic characters, the mighty Samson. Samson strategically tackled the challenge the Jewish people faced at the...
If you think about it for a second, why was the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai so momentous? It wasn’t as if no-one had...
This week, we read the parsha of Bamidbar in which we learn about G-d commanding Moshe to take a census of the Jewish people in the...
The Parsha of Bechukotai contains the tragedies and punishments that G-d threatens to bring upon the Jewish people if they stray from the dictates of the...
This weekend, the eyes of the world will be focused on the pomp and ceremony in London, where King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla will...
Who is holy? Is it the mystic in the mountains, the monk in the monastery, or the guru in the garage? Perhaps it’s the lady with...
Of the many blessings of living in Cape Town, its status as the most beautiful place in the world outside of Israel – my mother-in-law’s judgement,...
Here in South Africa, our national treasure continues to be the late Nelson Mandela. The status and respect he enjoys even after his death are legendary....
Yawn! Not another Torah portion describing the building of the Mishkan (Tabernacle)! Really? Didn’t we cover this in great detail already? If you’re reading this week’s...
My grandfather, Rabbi Jacob J. Hecht, had a dear friend, Yossel Hirsch. He and his brother ran a bakery in Brooklyn, New York, and were survivors...
In describing the goals of the Mishkan and the service of the Kohanim, Hashem uses a strange expression. “I will dwell amongst the children of Israel,...
Our capacity to carry the presence of G-d within us should be the foundation of self-esteem. This liberating idea is the cornerstone of self-worth and confidence....
“If a master beats his servant and causes the damage of a tooth, eye, or limb, then the servant must immediately be released.” (Shemot 21:26-27) The...
