The Empty Landscape
Pesach has Matza, the Seder, the four cups of wine, "Ma Nishtana.…" Succot has the Four Species and the Succah. Shavuot, however, has no single identifying Mitzvah, no recognizable landmark in its scenery. Why?
Yaakov Asher Sinclair | 2 Sivan 5781
Why Bad Things Happen To Good People
Nothing is as challenging to our faith as seeming injustice and tragedy. How does a believing person reconcile an apparently cruel world with an Omnipotent and Merciful Creator?
Yaakov Asher Sinclair | 24 Iyar 5781
What's Wrong With Wikipedia
Democracy is a wonderful institution, but it's not infallible.
Yaakov Asher Sinclair | 16 Iyar 5781
Respect For Others
Nineteen hundred years ago, the twenty-five thousand pupils of Rebbe Akiva all died in the days of the Omer between Pesach and Shavuot. This was a punishment for not treating each other with enough respect. The majority of the days Omer are in the month of Iyar. Thus Iyar is a time for us to work on improving respect for others.
Yaakov Asher Sinclair | 9 Iyar 5781
Comfort In Time Of Loss
When we lose someone close to us, the pain is almost unbearable. How can we find solace and comfort at such times?
Yaakov Asher Sinclair | 3 Iyar 5781
Why Eat Kosher?
What's the connection between working in a recording studio and eating non-kosher food?
Yaakov Asher Sinclair | 24 Nisan 5781
What's So Wrong With Bread?
Everyone knows you can't eat bread on Pesach, but what's so wrong with bread?
Yaakov Asher Sinclair | 13 Nisan 5781
Tying The Knot
The Book of Vayikra begins a series of complex laws about the service of the Holy Temple, but even though the laws of the Torah are precise, they require individual creativity.
Yaakov Asher Sinclair | 6 Nisan 5781
The Ultimate Labor Saver
Man has always dreamed about a robot that would do everything for him. But the ultimate labor saver has been around for more than three thousand years.
Yaakov Asher Sinclair | 25 Adar 5781
Isn't Stiff Necked a Physical Condition?
Yaakov Asher Sinclair | 19 Adar 5781
Will You Throw Away Your Mask This Purim?
Sometimes rather than endangering lives, throwing away your mask can save lives. A message for Purim.
Yaakov Asher Sinclair | 13 Adar 5781
Do You Believe In God
If you would ask me if I believe in G-D the answer would surely be yes. But do we always think of G-D?
Yaakov Asher Sinclair | 6 Adar 5781
Nothing Is Incurable
There is no such thing as an 'incurable' disease.
Yaakov Asher Sinclair | 29 Shevat 5781
Out Of This World
Why do we say "Pnei Shabbat Nekabela"? What does the Shabbos have to do with the face?
Yaakov Asher Sinclair | 21 Shevat 5781
Burning Bridges
The sedra of Beshalach teaches us how one should Deal with the difficulties in our life.
Yaakov Asher Sinclair | 15 Shevat 5781
Sixteen Seders to Egypt
Exodus sounds far away from us, but is it so?
Yaakov Asher Sinclair | 7 Shevat 5781
Tu B'shvat - A festival of renewal
There's a deeper side to the festival of Tu B'Shevat - the New Year for trees. It is also the celebration of our eternal life.
Yaakov Asher Sinclair | 29 Tevet 5781
A Legend In His Own Lunchtime
Even though he grew up as a prince in Egypt, Moshe never forgot his roots.
Yaakov Asher Sinclair | 23 Tevet 5781
Kindness and Truth
Why does the Torah call the prohibition of incest 'kindness'? Why didn't Jacob want to be buried in Egypt?
Yaakov Asher Sinclair | 16 Tevet 5781
