Modern day general anesthesia can include the following features: 1) analgesia: blocking pain sensation. 2) Hypnosis: producing unconsciousness. 3) Amnesia: preventing memory formation. 4) Relaxation: preventing unwanted movement. All of these features characterize the first case of anesthesia which is recorded in Parshas Bereishis. According to the Torah,…

One of the highlights of the Sukkot holiday is the waving of the Lulav and Etrog. When we perform this mitzvah, we can also delight in the wonderful fragrance of the Etrog and enjoy the verdant colorations of the Lulav. It is somewhat sad when at the end of…

It has been said that Sandy Koufax did more for Judaism by refusing to pitch on Yom Kippur than almost anyone else in modern times. The year was 1965 and the Los Angeles Dodgers were playing against the Minnesota Twins in the World Series. Koufax, the Dodgers’ pitching ace,…

As you can tell from the title, this article is about the nose. The reason for this has to do with Parshat Nitzavim, which in the span of only nine verses mentions the word "af" of "nose" five times (Devarim 29:19-27).

Of course, "af" as used in Nitzavim…

In this week’s majestic Haftorah, the prophet Isaiah describes the magnificent arboreal features that will grace the future Holy Temple: "The glory of the Lebanon [forest] shall come to you—cypress, fir, and box tree together—to glorify the site of My Sanctuary" (Isaiah 60:13, Artscroll translation).

We all know how…

Recently I saw an advertisement for "Bible Bar", a snack product that contains all seven foods, for which the Land of Israel is praised as enumerated in this week’s Parsha, Eikev (Devarim 8:8). The promotion claimed that since these foods are mentioned in the Bible, then they must be…

Recently I saw an advertisement for "Bible Bar", a snack product that contains all seven foods, for which the Land of Israel is praised as enumerated in this week’s Parsha, Eikev (Devarim 8:8). The promotion claimed that since these foods are mentioned in the Bible, then they must be…

In Parshat Va’etchanan we are again reminded of Israel’s victory over Og, King of Bashan (Devarim 4:47). Og was a giant whose iron bed measured 9 by 4 cubits, when measured by Og’s own cubit, which is the distance from Og’s elbow to the tip of his middle finger…

On September 13, in the year 81 C.E., Titus, conqueror of Jerusalem and its Holy Temple and Emperor of Rome, died at the age of 41. Ancient historians give conflicting accounts on the cause of his demise.

The Roman historian, Suetonius, writes that Titus was depressed and left…

It is a gruesome and revolting practice, but cannibalism is described a number of times throughout Tanach. Often, the Children of Israel are warned that the dire consequences of their sins will include extreme famine and starvation leading to cannibalism. One typical example occurs in Vayikra 26:29: "You will…

There is an old saying that “beauty is in the eyes of the beholder”, but sometimes it is found in the eyes of the person who is beheld. 

Torah Portion of the Week

The evil prophet Balaam wanted to curse the people of Israel, but instead found himself blessing them, "How goodly are your tents, Jacob; your dwelling places, Israel" [Num. 24:5].

Is the repetition in Balaam’s blessing only poetic? Or is there a deeper significance…

Many of us have enjoyed reading Anna Sewell’s classic novel Black Beauty: The Autobiography of a Horse. Well, this week’s Medicine and the Torah column follows a similar theme. It presents the autobiography of a donkey; not just any donkey, but me, Balaam’s donkey, the one mentioned in this…

In Parshas Chukas we sadly learn about the death of Aharon and how the vestments of the High Priesthood were transferred to Elazar, his son (Bamidbar 20:28). Rashi notes that Aharon thus had the satisfaction of seeing the "crown" of Priesthood handed over to his son Elazar who would…

This week we celebrate Shabbos Rosh Chodesh Tammuz. Rosh Chodesh is a special event for us because it was the first mitzvah given to Israel as a nation. Each month we anticipate the moon’s renewal recognizing that this occurrence, which determines the Jewish calendar, has great symbolic significance for…

The major theme of Parshas Shelach has to do with Jewish spies and the consequences of their actions. Amongst those spies were persons that meant well, namely Joshua and Calev. There were also spies that did not mean well, challenging the ability of the Almighty to conquer the land…

We are all familiar with the story of Samson and his remarkable feats of strength. The Torah also records how Yaakov Avinu used his immense muscular prowess to roll a heavy stone off of a well (Rashi, Bereishis 29:10).

In this week’s Parsha Beha’aloscha we find another amazing…

In Parshas Nasso we learn about the Priestly blessing which is termed "Nesiat Kapayim" or "the raising of the hands" in blessing. As can be gathered, the Kohen’s hands play an important role in fulfilling this mitzvah.

The Gemara in Tractate Chagigah 16a suggests that during Temple times,…

The Second Day of Shavuot May 8, 1147

On the second day of Shavuot a special song of praise called Yetziv Pisgam is inserted into the Haftorah. According to the Birnbaum siddur, Yetziv Pisgam has been attributed to Rashi’s grandson, Jacob ben Meir Tam…

In this week’s Torah reading, Behar-Bechukosai, we find the famous quote that appears on the Liberty Bell, "Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof" (Vayikra 25:10). It is significant that a verse from the Torah appears on this American icon since Jews played an…