Shabbat Chazon 5778

Convenient Covenant

David looked at the calendar and groaned. Tisha B’Av was only three days away. David was generally scrupulous to keep all the mitzvot, however, he found fasts particularly difficult. Year after year, he would approach his rabbi, and ask if there was any kind of leniency to allow David not to fast. And, year after year, the rabbi would patiently explain that, given that this was a matter of discomfort, and not danger, David was required to fast. As David got older, the challenge of fasting only intensified. It looked like David would have no choice but to fast this year, as well.

Matot-Masei 5778

The Meat of the Matter

Arik and Aharon are learning together in a secular college, in southern Israel. At first, it seemed to them that they were the only religious students on campus. However, after a while, they began to pick up on the fact that many of the students came from somewhat observant families.