Akiva Calendar
Rabbi Grossman’s Corner
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HAVE A “HARD HEART”?
In the course of the Torash reading, we are told about Pharaoh’s repeated rejections of the Jew’s request to go free. Three different verbs are used in this week’s Torah portion centering on the plagues to indicate the hardening of the Pharoah’s heart: Kasha (k-sh-h),...
The Land of Israel – There’s “Snow” Better Place on Earth
My family and I have just returned safely from Israel. We were fortunate to have had two weeks of time to spend with our two sons studying outside Jerusalem and with extended family and friends. We met families from our Akiva community and had the zechut (good...
Parshat Miketz/ Channukah – Reconciliation in the past and the present
When we study about Chanukah, we tend to focus on the miracle of the Menorah, and forget about the main purpose of the holiday, the victory of the Maccabees. But it is in this battle that we learn lessons about building a Jewish identity. The historical context of the...
Parshat Vayeshev – Speech Therapy
This week I would like to share an article by Rabbi Sacks on this week's Parshat Vayeshev: Vayeshev (5771) – Speech Therapy