A central part of the Passover Seder is the study of four verses found in Parashat Ki Tavo, beginning with “Arami oved avi.” The verses were said by the farmer who brings first fruits to the Temple in ...

According to the Torah, tithes are taken from the crops in two three-year cycles. In each of these two cycles, one-tenth of the produce was given to the Levi who serves in the Temple as ma’aser rishon ...

“How does one set aside the first fruits? A person goes down into his field, sees a fig that has ripened, a cluster of grapes that has ripened, a pomegranate that has ripened, ties them with a reed, ...

In this week's exploration, we delve into the perplexing concluding verses of the Parsha, where Moshe delivers a rather enigmatic statement. Initially, we notice a distinctive aspect - Moshe's ...

On Christmas Eve, months before my bat mitzvah, the priest of Westminster Abbey signaled for 1,800 congregants to rise for the holy sacrament; 1,796 people rose. The other four were Jews: my parents, ...

Happiness doesn’t truly penetrate the heart when one accumulates wealth or acquires specific products. Instead, it comes from giving to others. Parshat Ki Tavo concludes Moses’ lengthy address to the ...

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Last October, I decided to travel to New York for my grandniece Leket’s bat mitzvah which will take place this coming Shabbat. It was also meant to be a chance to see my sister again. The last time I ...

At the end of this week’s parsha, Moshe tells the Jews (9:1), “You saw all that God did in front of your eyes in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh.” Given that this speech comes at the end of the ...

of the smartest, funniest person in the room. Like, the Lord, I’m needy and want to put a label on it. I come pre-ready to commit. I’m already in love with you. I’ve got a closet full of holiday gifts ...