Planting with Tears by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine Certain phrases in Jewish Scripture are associated with particular connotations in the collective Jewish memory. One example is the word “Eicha.” From the word “Ayecha”– said to Adam after the first sin, when G-d asked him, “Where are you? What is going to be with you?” –to the more »

by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine Little things count. That is the message of the blessings described in this week’s Torah portion. The blessing that G-d will “love you, bless you, multiply you, and save you from illness,” is granted to you, “If you will observe the nuances of the mitzvos.” Traditional commentaries explain the observance of more »

by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine One of the famous verses in the Torah is the one in which Moshe says, “All that Hashem asks of you is to fear Him and do His mitzvos.” The Talmud asks: Is fear of Hashem really so small an expectation? Rav Shimon Schwab observes that the Hebrew word for ask, more »