I’ve Got Nothing

Categories: Parsha, Pekudei

A WEEKLY TORAH THOUGHT FROM RABBI MORDY So, this week I’m in a bit of a conundrum. There is lots going on from a Jewish perspective (we conclude the Book of Exodus, we are almost exactly between Purim and Pesach) but the Parsha – Pekudei – is pretty repetitious. Moses is commanded by G-d to build the Tabernacle a few… Read More

How it Started Vs. How it’s Going

Categories: Parsha, Vayakhel

A WEEKLY TORAH THOUGHT FROM RABBI MORDY This week’s Parsha (Vayakhel) tells of the artisans, the expert craftsmen who produced the Mishkan, the Tabernacle where the Jewish people served G-d in the desert. What is most interesting to note is how little this differs from the previous portions where G-d commands it to Moses and Moses conveys to the Jewish… Read More

Humble Pie

Categories: Ki Tisa, Parsha

A WEEKLY TORAH THOUGHT FROM RABBI MORDY This week’s Parsha, Ki Sissa, should really be pronounced Ki Seesaw for all of its ups and downs. Let’s give a little background. The Jewish people overcame a superpower in fleeing slavery in Egypt. Moses leads them through a miraculously split sea and, after winning a war along the way, they arrive at… Read More

Crush It!

Categories: Parsha, Tetzaveh

A WEEKLY TORAH THOUGHT FROM RABBI MORDY This week’s Parsha (Tetzave) has a unique feature: Moses’s name is not mentioned. It does refer to him, just not by name. Along these same lines, there are many underlying lessons in the Parsha, generally and specifically, that aren’t initially apparent. In one of those lessons, we are told of how the Menorah… Read More

To Give Is to Receive

Categories: Parsha, Terumah

A WEEKLY TORAH THOUGHT FROM RABBI MORDY This week’s Parsha – Terumah – contains a lesson truly crucial to us as an organization. The Parsha begins, “V’yikchu li Terumah,” which literally translates to mean, “And they shall take to me (G-d) contributions.” I translate literally because this word is confusing. Take? Isn’t “give” the more appropriate term? There must be… Read More

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Numbers Game

A WEEKLY TORAH THOUGHT BY RABBI MORDY Here’s hoping everyone had an enjoyable Passover. It is so appropriate that we transition from Passover immediately into this week’s Parsha, Shemini. We finally complete the inauguration of the Tabernacle in the desert and Aaron begins his service on the eighth day (Shemini means “eighth”), following the seven days of inauguration. Passover, too,… Read More

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Weekly Roundup: April 25, 2025

FOTT Wellness April 2025 FOTT’s Baking Night was a delicious success! Members gathered for an evening of fun, flavor, and fueling our bodies. We kicked things off with engaging nutrition conversation cards, sparking great discussion about our fun and healthy habits. Then, we rolled up our sleeves to whip up three protein-packed treats: cookie dough, puppy chow, and rice krispie… Read More

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Commemorate the Future?!

A WEEKLY TORAH THOUGHT BY RABBI MORDY Tonight begins the last days of Passover. These are days that commemorate the splitting of the Sea of Reeds (being approximately a week after the Jewish people were freed) as well as celebrate — strangely, in anticipation of—the future Redemption. Much is discussed about what “the Redemption” means and people tend to have… Read More

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