Background. The Rambam writes[1], ‘During the period of the Second Beis HaMikdash, during the rule of the wicked Syrian – Greeks, evil decrees were enacted against the Jews. They sought to wipe out their religion and did not permit them to learn Torah or to perform Mitzvos. They stretched out their hands and stole … More The Laws and Customs of Chanukah

I have a dream! Or in other words Yoseph says to his brothers, שמעו נא החלום הזה אשר חלמתי, ‘Hear, please, the dream which I dreamt. Dreams clearly play a crucial part in this week’s parsha, from Yosef’s dreams at the start of the sedra to the butler and the baker’s at the end. Next … More פרשת וישב תש”פ

It’s been a while since I posted here and lots has happened since then. I am delighted to have recently been appointed Rabbi of Finchley Fed, a warm and vibrant community in North West London. This role, along with the other positions that I hold within the Jewish Futures family of organisations, provides me with … More It’s time to get going

The Rabbis teach us that Rosh Hashana corresponds to Avraham, Yom Kippur to Yitzchak and Sukkos to Yaakov. Avraham, the first Jew earns that title not only through his discovery of Hashem through philosophical and logical enquiry, but he also understands that finite man can actually develop a relationship with Infinite G-d. Despite extreme social … More A Thought for Rosh Hashana

To view the shiur click here To download the sources click pre RH shiur 2017 kesiva ve chasima tova  

  וְהָיָה כִּי תָבוֹא אֶל הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר ה’ אֱלֹקֶיךָ נֹתֵן לְךָ נַחֲלָה וִירִשְׁתָּהּ וְיָשַׁבְתָּ בָּהּ: וְלָקַחְתָּ מֵרֵאשִׁית כָּל פְּרִי הָאֲדָמָה אֲשֶׁר תָּבִיא מֵאַרְצְךָ אֲשֶׁר ה’ אֱלֹקֶיךָ נֹתֵן לָךְ וְשַׂמְתָּ בַטֶּנֶא וְהָלַכְתָּ אֶל הַמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר יִבְחַר ה’ אֱלֹקֶיךָ לְשַׁכֵּן שְׁמוֹ שָׁם: And it will be, when you come into the land which Hashem, your God, gives … More Ki Savo – History and Destiny

To listen to the shiur click here Enjoy!

  כִּי תִבְנֶה בַּיִת חָדָשׁ וְעָשִׂיתָ מַעֲקֶה לְגַגֶּךָ וְלֹא תָשִׂים דָּמִים בְּבֵיתֶךָ כִּי יִפֹּל הַנֹּפֵל מִמֶּנּוּ: When you build a new house, you shall make a guard rail for your roof, so that you shall not cause blood [to be spilled] in your house, that the one who falls should fall from it [the roof]. … More Ki Seitzei – A New House

Today we named our daughter Miriam Gila (you can check her out below!), a name that is laden with layers of meaning and holds particular significance for us, especially at this time of year. Miriam is in honour of Yael’s grandmother Mimi (Miriam Rivka) who passed away last year. She was a woman born in … More Miriam Gila

Even though we do not have the ability to bring Korbanos nowadays, Chazal reassure us that if we study the intricate laws, details and inner essence of the Korbanos it will be considered as if we have offered them up. This promise is unique to Korbanos, we do not find that if someone is unable … More Vayikra: Of Bulls, Lips and Hearts