Modern man finds the notion of sacrifices primitive, archaic and a form of Divine service that is…
Avodah Zarah 27: Time for a Haircut
Imagine going to the barber and fearing that barber may take his razor and slit your throat. Or…
Vayakhel: Gather the People
“When Aaron and all the Israelites saw that the skin of Moshe’s face was shining with a…
Avodah Zarah 36: By the Rabbis; For the People
It is axiomatic that Biblical laws are of greater importance than rabbinic laws. After all, the…
Purim: Where is Haman?
"Where is Haman recorded in the Torah?" So asks the Talmud (Chulin 139b), in a…
Avodah Zarah 19: The Right Person for the Right Job
Considering the amount of time one spends at work, there is little sadder than being in a…
Tetzaveh: Counting Sheep
In his introduction to his Eiyn Yaakov, the classic commentary on the non-legal sections…
Avodah Zarah 19: Learn What You Like
“The age of five for the study of Tanach, the age of ten for Mishna and the age of fifteen…
Avodah Zarah 18: Too Much Torah!
While we often tend to view the ancient Romans as evil enemies out to eradicate Judaism and kill…
Avodah Zarah 18: The Power of the Letters
One of the differences between Ashkenazic and Sephardic culture, both religiously and otherwise, is…
Avodah Zarah 17: Just One Minute
One of the highlights of learning with Rav Aharon Lichtenstein, zt”l, were his…
Avodah Zara 7: Let's Get a Second Opinion
When seeking out expert opinion on any matter, it is irresponsible not to get a second opinion. It…
Yitro: Honouring Parents, Teaching Children
The command to respect our parents, kibud av v'eim, is one that needs little explanation. It is…
Avodah Zara 5: It Takes a Long Time
Forty years is a long time. In Biblical numerology, the number 40 indicates transformation. Forty…
Beshalach: The Best of Intentions
Whether we are preparing for an exam, a simcha, a job interview, or retirement, our success is…
Avodah Zara 2: Holiday Greetings
In 1964, as the Second Vatican Council was reassessing its most negative view of Jews and Judaism,…
Avodah Zara 2: Thank You Rome
As all who study Daf Yomi are well aware, halacha and aggadah—the legal and extralegal…
An Introduction to Masechet Avodah Zara
It would be hard to argue with the notion that the primary goal for the Torah is for all to know…