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Today

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 10:09:00 AM

We jump on planes so casually. We get on in one place and a few hours later step off somewhere completely different, often thinking more about the delay, the cramped seat, or how long it is taking to get our luggage than about the wonder of what just happened. On my last flight, a family boarded alongside me with several children who had never flown before. Their excitement was bubbling over. They wanted to see everything and understand everything. As I watched them, I turned to the person next to me and said that all I had been thinking about was our hour delay. Somewhere along the way, what was extraordinary had become ordinary.

In this week’s Torah portion, Ki Tavo, Moshe tells the Jewish people, “Pay attention and listen, Israel! Today you have become a people to Hashem, your G-d.” Why “today”? The Jewish people had already entered into a covenant with Hashem. Our sages explain that these words teach us to experience our relationship with Hashem as though it is being formed anew each day. Not as something inherited from yesterday, but as something fresh and alive today. This idea takes on even greater meaning as we approach Rosh Hashanah, when we renew our bond with Hashem and celebrate the creation of Adam and of the world itself. In a sense, creation begins again, and so can we.

The countdown to Rosh Hashanah is on, with less than three weeks to go. Perhaps part of preparing is simply learning to see with fresh eyes again. We become accustomed to so much in our lives, our families, our blessings, our Judaism, even our relationship with Hashem. Like boarding an airplane, we can forget how remarkable it all really is. Rosh Hashanah reminds us that we are not trapped by yesterday’s habits or yesterday’s perspective. The world is being created anew, our relationship with Hashem is being renewed, and we are invited to renew ourselves along with it. Maybe this year we can bring back a little of that childlike wonder and recognize the extraordinary hiding inside the things we have come to see as ordinary.

Personal Battle

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 10:08:00 AM

Sending a child off into the world brings with it a mix of emotions. This week, as my son leaves for yeshiva and my daughter leaves to spend a year in Israel studying, I find myself feeling the pride of watching them take these next steps, together with that little ache that comes when our children begin to build lives beyond the walls of home. We spend years raising them, teaching them, guiding them, packing their lunches, and being there for the big things and the countless little things along the way. And then, slowly, we begin to send them out into the world. There is something powerful about watching our children leave the comfort and familiarity of home in order to devote themselves to something greater, to Torah, growth, and becoming the people they are meant to be.

This week’s Torah portion, Ki Teitzei, begins with the verse, “When you go out to war against your enemies.” The Torah is speaking about an actual war, but our sages also understand these words as describing the personal battles each of us faces. Maimonides describes the extraordinary mindset of a Jewish soldier. Once he enters battle, he puts aside his personal concerns and focuses completely on the greater purpose for which he is fighting. How can an ordinary person rise so completely above himself? Chassidut explains that deep within every Jew is a G-dly soul that is not limited by our individual wants, fears, or comforts. We are called “the army of G-d” because each of us has the ability to tap into that place within ourselves and live for something larger than our own immediate needs.

Most of our battles do not look like battles. They are the quiet choices we make every day between comfort and growth, between what feels easy and what we know matters. Sometimes we are sending our children off to yeshiva or to a year of learning in Israel, and sometimes we are the ones being asked to step beyond what is familiar. Life is not only about protecting our own little world. We are each part of something much bigger, with a purpose that stretches far beyond ourselves. When we connect to that purpose, we discover strength we may not have known we had, the courage to leave what is comfortable, move forward, and become a little more of who we were meant to be.

Man is like a Tree

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 10:07:00 AM

Close your eyes for a moment and think back to when you were a child. What did you wish for? What did you hope for? What did you dream you would become? Childhood is near and dear to my heart, and as we begin a new school year, our 20th year, I find myself thinking about those early years and how much they shape who we become. Every day, I have the privilege of helping nurture children, creating a sense of connection and security, and planting the values of Torah deep within them. The world they are growing into is changing faster than we could ever have imagined. We cannot know exactly what their future will look like, but we can give them strong roots so they are ready to grow wherever life takes them.

In this week’s Torah portion, Shoftim, the Torah tells us, “Man is a tree of the field.” A tree has roots that anchor and nourish it, a trunk and branches that grow upward and outward, and fruit that carries its seeds into the future. Chassidus teaches that we have these same three dimensions within ourselves. Our roots are our faith, the deep connection to Hashem that gives us strength and keeps us grounded. The trunk and branches represent the way we develop intellectually, emotionally, and through the choices and mitzvot that fill our lives. And then there is the fruit. Our fruit is what we give to others, the seeds we plant through our words, our example, and the values we pass on to the next generation.

We spend so much time preparing children for the future, but perhaps the greatest gift we can give them is something timeless. Strong roots. When a child knows who they are, where they come from, and that they are deeply loved and connected to Hashem, they have an anchor that no changing world can take away. And when we nurture those roots with love, security, Torah, and faith, we are doing more than raising a child for today. We are planting seeds for generations we may never meet and fruit we may never see, trusting that what we lovingly plant today will continue to grow long into the future.

Treasured

Thu, 6 Aug 2026 10:06:00 AM

There are moments in Jewish life that never lose their magic. This week we traveled to Camp Gan Israel, in the Laurentians, Quebec to be with our dear Aharon as he reached a beautiful new milestone. Our custom is to begin putting on tefillin two months before a boy’s Bar Mitzvah, giving him time to become familiar with this precious mitzvah before the big day arrives. Watching Aharon wrap tefillin for the very first time, surrounded by his camp friends, was one of those moments that fills your heart to overflowing. It was more than learning a new ritual. It was watching another link in an unbroken chain stretching back thousands of years.

In this week’s Torah portion, Re’eh, Moshe reminds the Jewish people that they are an Am Segulah, a treasured nation. “For you are a holy people to Hashem your G-d, and Hashem has chosen you to be His treasured people.” This is not something we earn through our achievements. It is an essential bond that every Jew shares with Hashem simply because we are His children. We are holy, we are treasured, and we are chosen. Chassidus explains that our connection to Hashem is not based on what we accomplish, but on who we are. That bond gives every one of us a unique mission and the ability to bring holiness into the world through our mitzvot and the way we live each day. Our relationship with Hashem is woven into the very essence of who we are.

Watching Aharon proudly put on tefillin reminded me that being chosen is not a title. It is a responsibility. We wear our tefillin with pride. We light Shabbat candles. We make blessings over our food. We further Jewish education. Sometimes standing out is not easy, but our greatest strength has never come from blending in. History has shown time and again that when we abandon our distinct identity, we lose the very source of our continuity. Our strength comes from embracing who we are and the mission Hashem has entrusted to us. Never forget that you are treasured. You are chosen. And you were placed in this world to accomplish something that only you can.

100 Languages

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 10:04:00 AM

There is something children know that adults spend a lifetime trying to remember. They see the world through a hundred languages. They learn, explore, create, question, build, imagine, and communicate in countless ways. The Reggio Emilia approach celebrates these hundred languages, recognizing that there is never just one way to learn or one way to express ourselves. Every child offers a unique perspective, reminding us that the world is far richer when we make space for different ways of seeing.

In this week’s Torah portion, Eikev, Moshe asks, “What does Hashem ask of you?” Our Sages notice that the Hebrew word for what, “mah”, closely resembles the word “me’ah”, which means one hundred. This teaches us that we should strive to recite one hundred blessings each day. At first glance, that may sound like a ritual or a checklist. But blessings are really invitations to notice. Before eating, when we hear thunder, or when we see something beautiful, we thank Hashem. These ordinary moments become sacred through a blessing, which gently reminding us that He is present in every part of our lives. One hundred blessings become one hundred opportunities to shift our perspective.

Children naturally notice the little things that adults often rush past. They stop to admire a flower, splash in a puddle, or marvel at a butterfly as if it were the first one ever created. Blessings encourages us to keep that sense of awareness alive. Every blessing is another language through which we connect with Hashem. It transforms everyday moments into moments of gratitude, ordinary routines into opportunities for holiness, and familiar experiences into reminders that life is filled with blessings waiting to be noticed. Sometimes the greatest change does not come from seeing something new. It comes from learning to see what has always been there.

In memory of Breina bas Aharon Naparstek, whose second yortzeit is tonight.

Nothing Else

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 10:03:00 AM

There are moments in life when heaven feels close enough to touch. Standing on a mountaintop as the horizon stretches endlessly before you. Watching the sun rise over the ocean. Holding a newborn baby. These are the moments that leave us speechless, filled with awe and the awareness that there is something far greater than ourselves. This week, my sister welcomed twin baby boys into the world, and witnessing this double miracle has taken my breath away. Two tiny souls. Two brisses. Double the blessing, love, and cuddles. And yes, I'm sure there will be double the sleepless nights and mischief too. But above all, it is a beautiful reminder of how obvious G-d's presence can sometimes feel.

In this week's Torah portion, Va'eschanan, Moshe declares, "Know today, and take it to heart, that Hashem is G-d in the heavens above and on the earth below; there is nothing else." Of course there are mountains and oceans, people and planets. There is joy and sorrow, success and disappointment. And "there is nothing else!" The Alter Rebbe explains that creation is not something G-d made long ago and then stepped away from. Every moment, every heartbeat, and every blade of grass exists only because His creative energy constantly brings it into being. Nothing exists independently of Him. Sometimes His presence is obvious, like the birth of a child that fills us with wonder. Other times He is hidden behind what appears to be ordinary life, natural events, or even painful challenges. Even when we cannot see Him, He is still there.

Perhaps that is one of life's greatest challenges. Not simply believing in G-d during life's miracles, but learning to find Him in everyday moments as well. It is easy to feel inspired while holding a newborn or gazing at a breathtaking view. It is much harder to recognize Him in traffic, setbacks, uncertainty, or disappointment. Yet we need to internalize that there truly is nothing else. Every encounter, every blessing, every challenge, and every step carries within it the opportunity to discover His presence. Sometimes He reveals Himself through open miracles. Other times He waits quietly behind the veil, inviting us to look deeper. When we begin to see life through that lens, we realize that we are never walking alone.

Forever

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 10:02:00 AM

Super moms, each of you. There are some people who deserve recognition every single day, and preschool moms are at the top of that list. I watch you arrive each morning juggling little hands, backpacks, lunch boxes, water bottles, and the countless responsibilities that come with raising a family. You are balancing work, home, appointments, meals, carpools, and somehow still finding room to give so much of yourselves. Some days it feels like a lot, but I hope you know that I see women raising the next generation with endless love, patience, and devotion. You are doing an incredible job.

In this week's Torah portion, Devarim, Moshe looks at the Jewish people and says, "You are today as numerous as the stars of heaven." Although the Jewish people were not literally as countless as the stars on that day, they are compared to the stars because they endure forever. A star never stops shining. Its light is always there, even when we cannot see it. It is often only when darkness falls that its steady glow becomes most noticeable. We are a nation of stars. Throughout our history there have been moments when our light shone brightly for all to see, and moments when it seemed hidden. Yet our light has never been extinguished. It is eternal.

As we enter the period called the Nine Days, we mourn the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash, our Holy Temple in Jerusalem. We mourne a time when our nation's light was revealed in its fullest glory. We feel homesick, longing for Hashem's Presence to once again be felt among us. We never stop believing. We await the coming of Moshiach and the day when the Beit Hamikdash will once again stand in Jerusalem. Until then, every act of kindness, every mitzvah, and every Jewish value we pass on to our children adds another point of light to our world. As mothers, you are not only raising children. You are raising enduring stars whose inherent light can never be extinguished. May we soon merit the day when all of our lights shine together in Jerusalem with the coming of Moshiach, and the Beit Hamikdash once again radiates its light to the entire world.

Present

Thu, 9 Jul 2026 10:00:00 AM

I have a love hate relationship with living in a world where we are reachable twenty four hours a day. Our phones are always within arm's reach, and sometimes they ring at the most unexpected hours. Yet this week reminded me why that constant accessibility can be such a blessing. A close friend faced a crisis in the middle of the night after his elderly father suffered a serious fall. There were difficult medical decisions that needed to be made immediately, along with important halachic questions. One phone call connected him with a rabbi experienced in these sensitive situations, someone able to offer both Torah guidance and practical wisdom. In that moment, being available made all the difference.

In this week's Torah portion, Matot Massei, the tribe of Levi is given a unique role. While the other tribes each received one territory to call their own, the Levites were placed in forty eight cities scattered throughout the Land of Israel. Their mission was not to remain together in one spiritual center, but to live among the people as teachers, guides, and sources of inspiration. The Torah teaches that true leadership is not about waiting for others to come searching for answers. It is about making yourself present, accessible, and invested in the lives of those around you.

We may not all be rabbis or teachers, but every one of us has something meaningful to offer. Life has given each of us experiences, challenges, and lessons that can become a source of strength for someone else. Sometimes all another person needs is a listening ear, a thoughtful conversation, or the reassurance that they are not facing their struggle alone. We can help others see the light at the end of the tunnel, remind them that difficult moments do pass, and give them hope for a brighter future. Making ourselves available, even when it is inconvenient, is one of the greatest gifts we can give. We never know when a simple phone call, a kind word, or our willingness to be there will change someone's life.

On Leadership

Thu, 2 Jul 2026 9:59:00 AM

Numbers are an interesting thing. Time has a way of quietly slipping by. Just this week, a repairman came to fix a system that felt like it had been installed yesterday, only to realize it has already been five years. We moved to Fort Lauderdale 20 years ago, and somehow that feels impossible. Now America is preparing to celebrate 250 years, which, for a nation, is still remarkably young. It has made me reflect on what it truly means to live in America. We have been blessed with extraordinary opportunities and freedoms, but perhaps what makes us most proud is not simply the years we celebrate. It is the values of this country that inspire us to build something greater than ourselves.

This week's Torah portion, Pinchas, offers a beautiful glimpse into Moshe's remarkable leadership. As he learns that his life is coming to an end, he does not ask for honor, recognition, or even for his own family. His only request is that Hashem appoint the right person to lead the Jewish people after him. Even in his final moments, his focus remains on the future of the nation he has devoted his life to. Moshe teaches us that true leadership is not about ourselves. It is about faithfully carrying a mission that is greater than any one individual.

Most of us will never lead a nation, but every one of us leads somewhere. As parents, educators, friends, and community members, we have daily opportunities to choose purpose over personal comfort and to put the needs of others before our own. When we align our lives with Hashem's vision of bringing more goodness, kindness, and holiness into the world, we become the kind of leaders whose influence reaches far beyond ourselves.

More Than a Habit

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 10:09:00 AM

To experience summer as a camper is to enjoy carefree days filled with sports, sunshine, and fun. Now that the duffels are packed and the children are off to their respective camps, I’m reminded of all the basic instructions I used to give before the summer. Don’t forget to shower every day. Don’t forget to brush your teeth. Make sure to treat others kindly. This year, as they grow older, the need for these reminders seems less. These habits have become ingrained, woven into who they are, things they do almost without thinking.

This week’s Torah portion, Chukat-Balak, begins with the words “Zos Chukat HaTorah” — “This is the statute of the Torah.” Chukim refer to mitzvot that transcend our understanding, but it also comes from a root meaning “engrave.” Unlike writing, where ink remains separate from the paper, engraving becomes one with the stone itself. The Torah teaches us that our connection to Judaism should be more than something we do from time to time. Its values, teachings, and mitzvot are meant to become part of who we are.

There are moments when doing the right thing requires effort and discipline. Yet over time, those choices begin to shape us. Acts of kindness become second nature. Prayer becomes a conversation. Torah learning becomes a lens through which we view the world. When we allow holiness to be engraved into our lives, we discover strengths we did not know we possessed and horizons far greater than those we could have reached on our own. May we utilize the summer days to continue growing, learning, and becoming the people Hashem knows we can be.

The Beauty of Individuality

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 1:27:00 PM

It’s time to spread your wings and fly. This week, I had the privilege of watching my own children graduate alongside their classmates. As they stood on stage, I found myself reflecting on how quickly the years pass. Milestones always feel meaningful, but they hit differently when the next step feels like such a big leap. Hearing the unique qualities and accomplishments of each graduate reminded me how grateful I am to Hashem. Looking at a large group of children, each with their own personality, talents, and strengths, I was struck by how beautifully different they all are and how much potential lies ahead for each of them.

This week’s Torah portion, Korach, centers around a rebellion fueled by the desire to erase distinctions and roles. Korach argued that since the entire congregation was holy, everyone should stand on equal footing. Yet the Torah teaches that true harmony is not created when everyone does the same thing. Rather, creation reaches its purpose when each person fulfills the unique mission for which they were created. Every individual has specific gifts, strengths, and responsibilities that contribute to a greater whole. When those differences are respected and embraced, they create balance, purpose, and peace.

Watching graduates move on to their next chapter reminds me that wisdom is not only seeing what is in front of us, but appreciating what can emerge in the future. This is what the Lubavitcher Rebbe, whose Yortzeit is today, taught us. The Rebbe saw the unique value in every person and empowered individuals to recognize their own strengths, purpose, and ability to make a difference. Some people lead, some teach, some inspire through kindness, and others quietly strengthen those around them. The beauty lies not in being the same, but in each of us discovering our unique mission and using our individual gifts to contribute something only we can give. When we embrace who we are meant to be while appreciating the gifts of others, we create the kind of unity that allows everyone to flourish.