In this week’s parsha, we read about the first mitzvah in the Torah. The previous commandments were given to individuals; for example, Abraham was given the commandment of circumcision. The first commandment is to calculate the time and dates according to the lunar cycle. Calculating time according to the moon has a lot of inner meaning. Time is precious, and if it is not used properly, it is considered a loss that does not return. But calculating time according to…

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We are approaching the last stage of the mikveh construction.Today beautiful tiles are being put on the walls of the mikveh. The beautiful tiles are made from a mountain Rock from north Japan.After laying the tiles, we will wait for rainwater to fill the reservoir. Once filled, the mikveh will be kosher for immersion. We are glad to share our joy in the finishing stages of our mikveh onsen. To complete this Mikveh construction project, we need your support.Please let…

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Have you ever wondered why we praise or blame people for their actions? Why do we reward good deeds and punish bad ones? The answer lies in the concept of free will. Free will means that we have the power to choose between right and wrong and that our choices matter. Without free will, there would be no point in rewarding or punishing anyone. For example, we don’t punish a robot for doing something evil, because it was programmed to…

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This Torah portion tells us how Pharaoh revealed that Moses had killed an Egyptian to save a Jewish man (Exodus 2:15). Moses was scared when he found out that Pharoah knew it. Pharaoh then tried to kill him. So Moses escaped from Egypt to the Sinai desert. He should have relied on G‑d’s protection, but he lost it by doubting divine providence. Nothing would have happened if Moses had not been fearful and had not expressed his fear. But since…

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This time, two articles by Rabbi Bernstein Moshe related to the Torah portion of this week, Parashat Vayechi, together. Vayechi- Living True Life This Torah reading, is titled “Vayechi” or “And he lived,” even though it discusses Jacob’s death. Jacob’s life was characterized by a connection to G-d that went beyond physical realms. This trait, shared with his descendants, continued even after his earthly life ended. As our Sages put it: “Jacob, our forefather, did not die. As long as…

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