CHOCHMAS NASHIM:  BOOK OF RUTH: REWARD By: Suri Davis   The Rabbis tell us in Ethics of Our Fathers that one shouldn’t learn torah to get a reward.  Yet it appears that the system of mitzvah/good deed and the warning of sin is premised on reward in the world to come or the promise of…

CHOCHMAS NASHIM: BECHUKOTAI: BLESSINGS By: Suri Davis   Today is Chaf Vav Iyar, it is my birthday.  The rebbe tells us that each day, G-d returns our souls to us anew, as if each day we are reborn with the same opportunities as the day before to actualize our potential and perfect G-d’s image with…

CHOCHMAS NASHIM: BEHAR:  NAME YOUR IDOL By:  Suri Davis     Joseph was removed from jail so he could interpret Pharoah’s dreams.  The interpretation of his dreams was that G-d was going to give abundant food for seven years, followed by seven  years of famine.  Joseph advised Pharoah that he should store food in storehouses…

MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN By: Lenore S. Davis, Esq.   I have not done research on this theory.  I write this from anecdotal information from my Estate law practice. How did the United States distribution of income become so extremely polarized with 1% of the population ultra-wealthy billionaires, making exponentially more than the remaining 99%.…

A BISSEL TORAH: KEDOSHIM By: Suri Davis   This week’s Torah portion let’s us know that just as G-d is separate and holy, we should be separate and holy.  Just as G-d’s existence is independent of the material world, we should strive to be independent of the material world that pulls us down, that is…

A BISSEL TORAH: AFTER THE DEATH OF… By: Suri Davis   Lamentations 5:17/8…17Because of this, our hearts are faint; because of these, our eyes grow dim: 18because of Mount Zion,which lies desolate, haunted by the jackals. 19You, O LORD, reign forever; Your throne endures from generation to generation.…There is a famous commentary on this verse in the book of Lamentations which…

A BISSEL TORAH: BDS REALLY?? By: Suri Davis   19% of the undergrad population at the University of Maryland is Jewish.  Yet, a vote to determine whether the University should divest itself of Israel investments was held over Passover.  The resolution to divest failed by a vote of 25-9, yet it was closer than in…

A BISSEL TORAH: OPPORTUNITY AND REBIRTH By:  Suri Davis   There are two broad topics in this week’s torah portion, one is the impurity of a woman who has given birth and the impurity of a man with leprosy, which is a result of gossip.   Rambam/Maimonides states that man is differentiated from animal because…

A BISSEL TORAH: VAYIKRAH: REMEMBER By: Suri Davis     The Shabbos before Purim, we are commanded to remember.  We are to remember that when we were weak and vulnerable in the desert after our Exodus from Egypt, Amalek came and started battle with us.  After millennia there is merit in remembering the past?  …

A Bissel Torah: Pikudei: Oxtail Stew By: Suri Davis   One of my fond remnants of the days Cedarhurst had William Sonoma, is my 13 quart copper pot.  It’s huge. I store it in my basement pantry.  I bring it up for soups and stews.   My children and I enjoy oxtail stew on cold…