- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Korach
What Is the Connection Between Jews and Almonds?
In our Sedra, Ahron's position as Kohen Gadol is challenged. G-d orders that each tribe take a staff with their name on it; the one that miraculously blossoms signifies that it is the choice of Hashem. Ahron's staff, that of Levi, blossoms first, with ripe almonds (this staff stayed in bloom for centuries & was kept in the Bet HaMikdash with a sample of the Mahn). Almonds - "shaked" in Hebrew - signify zeal, speed, & faithfulness. The almond tree is the first to bloom in Israel, in the midst of our rainy season, thus Chazal decided that the time they bloomed (Tu B'Shvat) would be the New Year for trees. When Yirmiyahu is shown an almond tree (1:11-12), it is a sign that Hashem carries out His word punctually. The cups on the Menora (some say the Menora itself!) were shaped like almonds. Israelis love & consume 7000 tons of almonds each year. Marzipan, made from almonds, has its own museum in Kfar Tavor, complete with a marzipan sculpture of Jewish (that’s right!) icon Elvis Presley!

Korach, Then and Now
Rabbi Dov Lior | Sivan 27 5783

Land of Milk & Honey
Parashat Korach
Rabbi Sholom Gold

Servant Leadership
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks | Sivan 30 5781

Holiness in the Midst of the Community
Rabbi Chanan Morrison | 5770

Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.

Eliminating Amalek
Elul 12 5782

Parsha Summary: Shmot
An Overview of the Torah Portion

THE HOWS and WHYS OF 9 AV
Av 6 5776

Heroes & Honored Guests
5775
The Laws of Elul and Selichot
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Elul 5761
The Laws of Blowing the Shofar
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Thursday, 23 Elul 5767

White and Nice Clothes and Gold on Yom Kippur
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Tishrei 4 5780
The Laws of Blowing the Shofar
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Thursday, 23 Elul 5767

Ask The Rabbi: What Should I Do To Prepare For The Fast?
Rabbi Stewart Weiss | 5 Tishrei 5784

Fighting With Faith: A Message for Politicians on Both Right and Left
Rabbi Moshe Tzuriel | 6 Tishrei 5784
Yom Kippur- Other Afflictions
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | 5 Tishrei 5784
