And Aaron shall place lots upon the two he goats: one lot “For the Lord,” and the other lot, “For Azazel.” –Lev. 16:8

The Shabbat immediately preceding Passover is called “Shabbat HaGadol”, “the big Sabbath”.

“Life and Death are in the Hands of the Tongue” (Proverbs 18:21)

I once heard an eager student ask Rabbi Ronnie Serr how he should go about becoming more observant.

All the Festivals will be annulled in future time except for Purim” Midrash Mishlei 9:2

This week’s Torah reading are the first chapters of the Book of Leviticus…

In this final reading in the Book of Exodus, there are two important biblical concepts that are as important today as they were over 3000...

Idolatry. Sexual immorality. Murder. The description of the events of the Golden Calf in this week’s portion sound like the outline for...

The first two lines of this Torah reading teach a valuable lesson we all need to remember in personal relationships: how to give a gift.

In the “Ahavat Olam” prayer chanted before the recitation of the Shema, we thank God for “laws and statutes” (chukim u’mishpatim).

“I am my Beloved’s, and my Beloved is mine” ---Song of Songs 6:3 For months and sometimes even years we prepare for our wedding day.

This week’s Torah portion contains one of the most powerful, and ethically challenging teachings in the Torah as the Hebrews cross...

The story in this week’s portion is as recognizable as any in the entire Torah. Discussed at the Passover seder, it begins with Moses.....

I constantly remind people of the power of the teaching of both the RaMBaM and the Lubavitcher Rebbe, who said that we could look through...

Every Shavuot, we read from Tikkun Leil Shavuot, a holy text that includes among other readings the first and last lines of every Torah....

Have you ever wondered how it can be true that “two Jews equals three opinions, four rabbis, and five synagogues”?

On September 6th Jews around the world will begin observing the holiday of Rosh HaShanah and the Ten Days of Awe.

This Saturday night begins the holy day of Tisha b’Av, the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av…the saddest day in the Jewish calendar.

Although there are 54 Torah portions, there are only 50 or 51 Shabbats per year, and that doesn’t count those Shabbats that have special...

As we celebrate this wonderful holiday and the beauty of the summer here in the Conejo Valley, we need to remember how the values of our...