Messages from August 2023

Rabbi O’s Weekly: Ki Tavo (Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8) Compassion Leads to Long Life

August 25, 2023
Deuteronomy
Ki Tavo

Compassion Leads to Long Life It’s clinically proven and also common sense that being a kind, compassionate, and generous person contributes to good health and longevity. According to a recent study, people who are compassionate have less stress, and a reduced the chance of heart failure, which leads to longevity. Compassion might not always be the cause for […]

Rabbi O’s Weekly Parsha: Shoftim (Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9)

August 18, 2023
Deuteronomy
Shoftim

A Watershed Moment for an IDF Mom When the Jewish people would come into the Land of Israel, they are told not to engage in one of the most common activities of the gentile nations of the time—witchcraft. Whoever does these things is an abomination to G-d…Walk with a pure heart with HaShem, your G-d. (Deut. […]

Rabbi O’s Weekly: Re’eh (Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17)

August 11, 2023
Deuteronomy
Re'eh

Deliberate Self-Harm You are children of the Almighty, your G-d. You shall neither cut yourselves nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead. For you are a holy people to the Almighty, your G-d. (Deut. 14:1, 2) There is a Torah prohibition against cutting oneself or tearing out one’s hair when grieving over the […]

Rabbi O’s Weekly Parsha: Eikev (Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25)

August 4, 2023
Deuteronomy
Eikev

Doing Ritual Without Being Habitual This Parsha is a long speech given by Moses reiterating the basic deal the Almighty offers us: if we observe the mitzvot—even the “small” mitzvot—He will keep the promises made to our ancestors. A public speaking evaluator might analyze it in one of two ways: Moses’ speech was meticulously prepared with conscious […]