by Rabbi Moshe Hauer | Nov 10, 2016 | Divrei Torah
There are only two rituals in Jewish life – Brit Milah (circumcision) and Shabbat – that the Torah describes using the terms Os, Bris v’Doros, a sign and a covenant for the generations (TB Shabbos 131b). The Brit Milah clearly symbolizes generational...
by Rabbi Moshe Hauer | Nov 8, 2016 | Divrei Torah
There is a debate amongst the Sages as to the light source, the Tzohar, used in Noach’s ark (Rashi 6:16). Some say that it was a window. Others say it was a bright gem whose radiance illuminated the closed space. Commentators – including the Chasam Sofer – see the...
by Rabbi Moshe Hauer | Jul 19, 2016 | Current Events, Divrei Torah
Another week, another tragic terrorist attack. Another disastrous outcome of a conflict between radical Islam and civilization. As we mourn the losses and contemplate the continued carnage resulting from this conflict, we can consider how Torah guides us in the...
by Rabbi Moshe Hauer | Jun 21, 2016 | Divrei Torah
One of the primary roles of the Levi’im – the one that we most readily associate with them – is that of the musicians, the Meshorerim, who enhanced the Temple offerings with their songs. Yet this role is not explicitly described in the Torah, where instead their role...
by Rabbi Moshe Hauer | Apr 5, 2016 | Divrei Torah
The reason for the annual pre-Pesach reading of Parshas Parah, the Torah instruction regarding the Parah Adumah (Red Heifer), is almost as enigmatic as its subject. While in a general sense we read it to establish purity in anticipation of the holiday season, this...
by Rabbi Moshe Hauer | Mar 29, 2016 | Divrei Torah
Every year around this time I join dozens of members of our community and thousands of Jews from all over the country at the AIPAC Policy Conference in Washington, an event that has accurately been referred to as America’s largest non-Haredi gathering of Jews. And it...
