NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, have exploded into the finance scene in recent months. NFTs function as digital collectibles with their data stored on a blockchain, ensuring the asset is unique. In just the past year, the fad of NFT trading cards and artwork has blown up among investors, who are certain these tokens will

In a well-documented tale, Napoleon once observed French Jews sitting on the floor of a synagogue, mourning their lost Temple. He was amazed at this historical consciousness that stretched back across thousands of years, despite the lack of a national homeland. Much has changed in the past 200 years, and I wonder how Napoleon would

With the recent tragedies of the Surfside building collapse, the Meron tragedy and for the Passaic-Clifton community, the recent passing of our special, sweet 14-year-old Binyamin Gonsher (Binyamin Yisrael ben Shlomo Halevi z”l), all of us feel that the time period of the Three Weeks—a time of mourning—was considerably expanded this

The combination of these two sections of the Torah constitutes the question, raised by all the commentators over the ages, as to whether there really is a connection between these two parshiot or is it just a matter of calendar convenience that unites them in one Torah reading on this coming Shabbat.

It is almost as if Parshat Matot is trying to be ironic. We read in the preceding parsha about Tzelofchad’s daughters’ desire and effort to inherit a portion of the Land of Israel. In Matot we read how two tribes decided that the recently conquered Transjordan territory was quite sufficient for their tastes. They do not want to pass

B’nei Gad v’Reuvain asked Moshe to settle in a land that would help their livestock thrive. They said, we shall build “pens for the flock...and cities for our children” (32:16). Usually, what is most important and a priority to a person is mentioned first, and in fact, Rashi points out that the fact that they mentioned the need for

Yoma 73b, 79a

Sitting next to my father, the rabbi, on the synagogue dais on Yom Kippur morning, I wondered how long I could last before breaking my fast. The lunch bag my mother gave me to bring to shul seemed to call out to me from the rabbi’s office where I had left it. By 10 a.m. I could stand it

I have the privilege of teaching a few halachot in between Mincha and Maariv each day, and lately we have been reviewing the laws of the Three Weeks leading up to Tisha B’Av. Most people are familiar with the basic restrictions, but there are some contemporary questions that are fascinating. For example, when does the obligation for the

Dov and Ayala, two friends, were walking home from school when it started to rain.

They were wearing short sleeves and they didn’t even have a sweatshirt. The rain was getting harder and harder when they passed a girl from the other class named Limor. Her house was right around the corner, but Ayala

This July 4th weekend Americans will celebrate their Independence Day. This annual event commemorates the establishment of the “city upon the hill”—the first modern experiment of democracy. Arguably, the 20th century was the greatest era for democracy, as great democracies allied together to defeat two violent enemies of

As Parshat Pinchas discusses the special sacrifices offered in the Temple on the holidays, this week provides us with an opportunity to discuss their biblical meaning.

The daily korban tzibur (communal sacrifice) was simply one lamb in the morning and one lamb in the evening (Bamidbar 28:3-4), while two

A friend of mine took on the responsibility of helping out two boys whose father had passed away. About two years ago, he asked me if I knew someone who had tickets to a professional baseball game. I approached my friend Harry as I thought he might help. “I don’t have season tickets, but my company sometimes has tickets, so let me