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About the Author

Rabbi Shraga Simmons

Rabbi Shraga Simmons spent his childhood trekking through snow in Buffalo, New York. He holds a degree in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin, and rabbinic ordination from the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem. He is the senior editor of Aish.com and the director of JewishPathways.com.

An expert on media bias, he was the founding editor of HonestReporting.com, and is the author of David & Goliath: The Explosive Inside Story of Media Bias in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (2012). With drama and a biting edge, David & Goliath is a definitive treatment, fully resourced with over 2,000 footnotes. Readers are privy to secret negotiations with CNN executives, and how a grassroots campaign was cited by the New York Times as effecting sweeping changes in Mideast media coverage.

David & Goliath has been praised by politicians, professors and journalists: Former New York Mayor Ed Koch hails it as "Invaluable for anyone wanting the inside story," and James Taranto of the Wall Street Journal calls David & Goliath "of crucial importance for the future of the Middle East."

Rabbi Simmons lives with his wife and children in the Modi'in region of Israel.

The Test of Wealth

The Test of Wealth

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

Rabbi Shraga Simmons shares an inspiring insight from the weekly Torah portion. Your life can change in just one minute! To download the MP3 ...


Special Status

Special Status

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

Parshat Ekev tells of the special mitzvah to love converts. Converts hold a special status in Jewish life, since they did the heroic deed of leaving ...


Four Questions & Slaves

Four Questions & Slaves

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

Why are questions so important?


Growth Worksheet

Growth Worksheet

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

The High Holidays are all about personal growth. Here are key areas that will make the greatest difference in building overall spiritual health.


Bnei Brak Wise Men

Bnei Brak Wise Men

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

"Whoever talks at length about Exodus from Egypt is praiseworthy."


Secret of the Jews

Secret of the Jews

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

The prophet Isaiah refers to the Jewish people as a "light unto the nations," and it's no secret that Jews have positively influenced the world. As ...


Priorities

Priorities

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

In this week's Parsha, the Jewish people are in final preparations for entering the Land of Israel. Two of the tribes, Reuven and Gad have been ...


Life's Most Important Thing

Life's Most Important Thing

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

This Rosh Hashana, will we be able to stand before God with confidence? Only if we know the bottom line of what we're living for.


Everyone Counts

Everyone Counts

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

Rabbi Shraga Simmons shares an inspiring insight from the weekly Torah portion. Your life can change in just one minute! To download the MP3 ...


Pidyon Ha'ben - Redemption of First Born

Pidyon Ha'ben - Redemption of First Born

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

Explaining the Jewish ceremony of buying a baby boy for five silver coins.


Harming Others With Words

Harming Others With Words

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

Rabbi Shraga Simmons shares an inspiring insight from the weekly Torah portion. Your life can change in just one minute! To download the MP3 ...


Priorities

Priorities

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

In this week's parsha, the Jewish people are in final preparations for entering the Land of Israel. Two of the tribes, Reuven and Gad have been ...


On the Right Foot

On the Right Foot

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

In Parshat Devarim, Moses presents a recap of the past 40 years in the desert. Moses refers to the ill-fated incident of the 12 Spies who scouted ...


Two Identical Goats

Two Identical Goats

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

Rabbi Shraga Simmons shares an inspiring insight from the weekly Torah portion. Your life can change in just one minute! To download the MP3 ...


Pet Food for Passover

Pet Food for Passover

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

If Fido is hungry on Passover, here's what you can ― and can't ― feed your family pet.


ABCs of Honoring Parents

ABCs of Honoring Parents

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

In Judaism, every day is Mother's Day and Father's Day.


Upsherin - First Haircut

Upsherin - First Haircut

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

What's the story behind little Jewish boys running around with long hair?


Perfect Travels

Perfect Travels

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

Parshat Masay enumerates the 42 different locations at which the Jewish people encamped during their 40 years in the desert. The travel route was ...


Why Things Happen

Why Things Happen

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

The beginning of this week's Parsha describes the specific cause-and-effect of human actions. "If you follow the laws, then you will have ...


Friday Night 1-2-3

Friday Night 1-2-3

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

Not sure how to begin? Look no further!


The Mixed Multitude

The Mixed Multitude

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

Rabbi Shraga Simmons shares an inspiring insight from the weekly Torah portion. Your life can change in just one minute! To download the MP3 ...


All About Kitniyot

All About Kitniyot

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

Everybody knows you can't eat bread during Passover. But what's the deal with not eating rice and beans, too?


High Expectations

High Expectations

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

At the beginning of Parshat Matot, God tells Moses to do battle against the Midianites - immediately after which Moses is destined to die. Now for ...


Idolators - 400 Years

Idolators - 400 Years

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

Life is a continuous process toward self-discovery. It is never too late.


Spiritually Pure

Spiritually Pure

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

One problem that causes difficulty in learning about various concepts in Judaism is the translation of Hebrew words. Many of these words have no ...


It's a Girl!

It's a Girl!

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

Thank Heaven for little girls. A guide to celebrating the newborn.


Jump Into the Sea

Jump Into the Sea

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

Moses orchestrates a full year of plagues which completely debilitates Egyptian society. After the climactic 10th and final plague, the slaying of ...


Having a Bad Day?

Having a Bad Day?

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

Rabbi Shraga Simmons shares an inspiring insight from the weekly Torah portion. Your life can change in just one minute! To download the MP3 ...


Day In, Day Out

Day In, Day Out

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

Parshat Pinchas tells of the heroic deed of Pinchas, who jumped up with spear in his hand to save the Jewish people from a plague of immorality. ...


Six Reasons Why The Wall Is Holy

Six Reasons Why The Wall Is Holy

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

The Western Wall is at the root of the Jewish nation.


Down to Egypt

Down to Egypt

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

Our forefather Jacob did not go to Egypt to settle permanently, but only to reside temporarily.


Code of Creation

Code of Creation

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

Rabbi Shraga Simmons shares an inspiring insight from the weekly Torah portion. Your life can change in just one minute! To download the MP3 ...


Lightning Rod

Lightning Rod

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

Parshat Balak tells of the Jewish people encountering the Moabites in the desert. The king of Moab wants to fortify his country's strength, so he ...


Seder Preparations Checklist

Seder Preparations Checklist

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

Seder means "order" because there are so many details to remember.


ABC's of Passover

ABC's of Passover

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

Passover (Pesach in Hebrew) is known as the "holiday of freedom," commemorating the Jewish Exodus from Egypt following 210 years of ...


Naming a Baby

Naming a Baby

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

A name defines a person's essence. Choose carefully.


Giving and Taking

Giving and Taking

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

Rabbi Shraga Simmons shares an inspiring insight from the weekly Torah portion. Your life can change in just one minute! To download the MP3 ...


Building a Sukkah

Building a Sukkah

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

SELECTING A SITE To build your own Sukkah, first select a site that has nothing hanging above it -- i.e. a roof or a tree. The Sukkah floor space ...


Essential Vitamins

Essential Vitamins

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

Parshat Chukat speaks about the Para Aduma, the Red Heifer used in the times of the Holy Temple. The ashes of the Red Heifer represented the ...


Tabernacle of Time

Tabernacle of Time

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

Shabbat is an anywhere-in-the-world, expense-free holy-time vacation.


Babylon's Fallen Tyrant

Babylon's Fallen Tyrant

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

Saddam Hussein saw himself as the reincarnation of Nebuchadnezzar. And he suffered the same ignoble fate.


300 Mules

300 Mules

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

Parshat Korach tells how Korach instigated a rebellion against the leadership of Moses. This act involved a surprising amount of chutzpah, given the ...


Man Is a Tree

Man Is a Tree

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

The Torah compares a person to a tree. Roots, branches, leaves. What's the connection?


One Step at a Time

One Step at a Time

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

Rabbi Shraga Simmons shares an inspiring insight from the weekly Torah portion. Your life can change in just one minute! To download the MP3 ...


Higher Than the Angels

Higher Than the Angels

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

This week's Parsha begins with the Mitzvah to "Be holy." How do we achieve holiness? The Torah provides many avenues, and keeping Kosher in a ...


God Brought Us Out

God Brought Us Out

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

"In all the gods of Egypt will I execute judgment... I am God and no other."


Battle of the Spies

Battle of the Spies

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

In Parshat Shlach, Moses sends 12 people to scout out the Land of Israel. They return with the conclusion that there's no way to win a battle ...


Divine Paradigm

Divine Paradigm

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

Rabbi Shraga Simmons shares an inspiring insight from the weekly Torah portion. Your life can change in just one minute! To download the MP3 ...


To Pray or Not to Pray

To Pray or Not to Pray

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

Harold is walking down a darkened alley, when he's suddenly confronted by two masked men carrying guns. Fearing for his life, Harold throws his ...


Animal Offerings

Animal Offerings

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

This week's Parsha presents a lengthy, detailed description of animal offerings in the Holy Temple – burning of limbs, sprinkling of blood, ...


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