CHOCHMAS NASHIM: SETTING THE STAGE Suri Davis   In this week’s torah portion, Vayigash, we come to the apex of the Joseph story, the great reveal.  The ten tribes sold their younger brother into slavery, he ends up as viceroy to Pharaoh, the second most powerful man in the world.  By all rights, Joseph could…

CHOCHMAS NASHIM: ZOS CHANUKKAH: BASTARDIZATION OF COMMUNICATION Suri Davis   I have written before of two concepts which resonate with me.  One is Maimonides’ concept of what distinguishes man over other creations which is “adam midaber,” which literally means, man can speak.  One might say that all animals speak, why is man’s speech different, and…

THE LESSONS OF ISRAEL WAR ON ESTATE PLANNING FOR MINORS By: Lenore S. Davis, Esq. Lenoredavis.com   At the end of the year, many people like to get their financial affairs in order, with one eye to tax season.  While we are thousands of miles away from Israel, our heart is with Israel, and we…

CHOCHMAS NASHIM: Egypt to Cedarhurst Pharaohs Rule, G-d Rules More By: Suri Davis I heard a lecture from Rabbi Y.Y. Jacobson about missions. We learn from the parsha that Yosef was sold into slavery by his brothers.  He then became a servant in the household of Potiphar an officer in Pharoah’s court, where he was…

CHOCHMAS NASHIM: KATONTI M’KOL HACHASADIM By: Suri Davis In this week’s torah portion, Jacob is returning from his sojourn with Lavan back to Israel, per G-d’s direction to him.  He hears that Esau, his angry brother, is approaching him with 400 men, seemingly to wage war with him and Jacob turns to G-d and prays…

:    Therefore, Zion weeps bitterly.  PARTS 1AND 2 HOSTAGE RELEASE DEAL     The gematria, numerical value of 240 are the Jewish letters Mem and Resh, together, Mar, or bitter.  The plight of the 240 hostages weighs heavily on us all.   I cant help but meditate on the use of the word  MAR in…

CHOCHMAS NASHIM: DEAR SARAH IMEINU: Funeral of Rose Lubin, Israel Border Police By: Suri Davis   Goodbye Mar Cheshvan, you lived up to your reputation. Welcome the month of Kislev where we celebrate the victory of a small band of Jews against the grest Greek army. May this month live up to its reputation as…

CHOCHMAS NASHIM: ELAH SHBCHALL DOR V’DOR OMDIM ALEINU L’CHALOTENU By: Suri Davis     Twenty years ago, at the time of the intifada in Israel, I believe on the eve of Passover, Rav Zev Leff asked the question as to why we thank G-d for taking us out of Egypt, when He was the One…

THE TRAVESTY OF SILENCE By: Suri Davis     SHAME ON YOU!!! UJA OU RCA BDA ZOA WZO YOUNG ISRAEL AGUDATH ISRAEL YU TOURO AIPAC NORPAC   AND ALSO OUR LOCAL POLITICIANS   The Rabbis tell us that he who remains silent, it is as though he acquiesces. News correspondent after news correspondent, asks those…

CHOCHMAS NASHIM:  LECH LICHAH By: Suri Davis In the 14th chapter of Genesis, we read that Avram waged a war on behalf of Lot.  In that battle, he captured King Sodom’s people.  King Sodom offered Avram to trade the captives for possessions or war booty.  Avram refused with these words, 22/23, I swear by G-d…