Rabbi Chanan Morisson Suitable Wicks and Oils The Mishnah (Shabbat, chapter two) discusses which wicks and oils are suitable for Sabbath lights. Certain materials may not be used for wicks since they make ‘the flame sputter’ and fail to burn evenly; and certain oils may not be used because ‘they do not flow freely to … Read more
Moshe Kempinski Life Lessons from the Torah Reading There are points in our lives where after years of striving and struggles one yearns for an oasis in time to rest and enjoy achievements, family and wisdom gleaned from life’s experience. Yet it seems that at those times new challenges suddenly arise and new difficulties need … Read more
Moshe Kempinski Rabbi Chanan Morisson Life Lessons from the Torah Reading The turmoil of life can sometimes make us feel very alone. We at times are left in solitude with our fears, our pains and our own insecurity. We sense that this loneliness is a curse while in fact it may actually be a blessing. … Read more
Moshe Kempinski Life Lessons from the Torah Reading The accepted meaning of Jacob’s ( Yaacov) name in the world is “he who supplants and undermines. Yet nothing could be further from the truth. Those that ascribe that meaning to the name are using the definition that comes from the lips of a man who hated … Read more
Moshe Kempinski Life Lessons From the Torah Portion Chayei Sarah Genesis 23:1–25:18 Time passes us by like raging river and most of humanity simply attempts to tread water. Yet the onslaught of time seems unstoppable. As more of that river of time has passed us, the raging river begins to feel more frightening. Shakespeare in … Read more
Moshe Kempinski Life Lessons From the Torah Portion In the Torah portion of Lech Lecha we read the following; And Hashem said to Avram,( Abram) “Go forth from your land and from your birthplace and from your father’s house, to the land that I will show you. And I will make you into a great … Read more
Moshe Kempinski Life Lessons from the Torah Reading We are all familiar with the phenomenon. We yearn for a certain book or an item. We anticipate finding it and think of what wondrous things it may reveal. We finally find it and place it on our shelf or in a drawer and we are content. … Read more
Moshe Kempinski Torah portion of Noah Genesis 6:9–11:32 A walk of faith can in fact become a very lonely walk. Isaiah declares the following ; “Hearken to the word of Hashem, those who are zealous( or diligent) of His word ( Haredim LeDvar Hashem) , “Your brethren who hate you, who cast you out, said, … Read more
