An amusement park is: “a commercially operated park having various devices for entertainment (such as a merry-go-round and roller coaster) and usual booths for the sale of food and drink” (Merriam Webster). According to Kids Konnect, the first amusement parks were created in Europe during the middle ages; these parks consisted of fairy and pleasure gardens where people attended for
Read more
In the beginning of this weeks Parsha, Rashi cites Chazal who derive from the word B’haalotecha, which is connected to alah, go up, that there was an elevation before the Menorah in the Bait HaMikdash. The Kohen would ascend those steps in order to kindle the lamps. I once heard a profound homiletic rendering of this Chazal. Not only was
Read more
Our Rabbis teach us that everything written in the Torah is recorded because of its relevance to every Jew in every generation. Why are the seemingly trivial details which dominate Parshat Naso, such as the arrangement of the encampments of the various tribes, significant and relevant to us? Rav Aharon Kotler suggests that although this information seems like historical facts
Read more
In response to recent anti-Semitic incidents that have taken place in major cities across the globe, including New York, London, Paris, Jerusalem, and my hometown of Los Angeles, a quote from a 16th-century play by William Shakespeare comes to mind. In the first scene of the third act of Shakespeare’s play, The Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare conveyed an unprecedented message
Read more
This past Thursday, May 13, 2021, Valley Torah students gathered in the outdoor Beis Midrash tent for a talk with world-renowned physicist Dr. Chaim Presby regarding an array of topics ranging from his work with fiber-optics to his viewpoint on macroevolution and intelligent design. Dr. Presby is a senior lecturer for outreach programs associated with Gateways and has been a
Read more
This week’s parsha delineates the various responsibilities of the Levi’im. “And the assignment of Elazar ben Aaron HaKohein is the oil of illumination, the spices of the incense, the daily flour offering and the anointment oil” (Bamidbar 4, 16). Rashi cites the Gemara Yerushalmi which explains that Elazar was not merely charged with overseeing that the above items were transferred
Read more
Although this article will be discussing punishments, it is still heartbreaking to witness a tragic incident. Along with the rest of the Jewish nation, I am devastated because of the horrific events of last week’s Meron tragedy. May it be the last tragedy the Jewish nation ever faces. Bechukotai has more Psukim discussing curses than blessings. Specifically, while the list
Read more
Amid an unprecedented hiatus in its group activity, the Valley Torah Chesed Club has decided to end off this disaster-trotted year with as many community service projects as possible- and remarkable ones too. The National Foundation for Cancer Research reports that approximately one person is diagnosed with blood cancer every 3 minutes, just in the United States. In 2020 alone, an estimated
Read more
Profane words should never be used by an individual, especially if it’s about Hashem or any other religious entity. The ending of this weeks Parasha brings down a story with someone from the tribe of Dan who was cursing out Hashem in the camps, for all to see. Due to not knowing what they should do against one who does
Read more
This week’s second parasha starts off with the commandment to be holy. Why? Not because it’s logical or moral, but rather, simply because Hashem himself is holy. דַּבֵּ֞ר אֶל־כָּל־עֲדַ֧ת בְּנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל וְאָמַרְתָּ֥ אֲלֵהֶ֖ם קְדֹשִׁ֣ים תִּהְי֑וּ כִּ֣י קָד֔וֹשׁ אֲנִ֖י יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃ Speak to the whole Israelite community and say to them: You shall be holy, for I, the LORD your God, am
Read more
The Valley Torah Scroll 