_(english).jpg "Taking the Spiritual Dive")
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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.
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Fear of Freedom
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsRabbi Shraga Simmons shares an inspiring insight from the weekly Torah portion. Your life can change in just one minute! To download the MP3 ...
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Fresh Enthusiasm
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsThis week's parsha describes how Aaron, the high priest, would light the Menorah every day in the Tabernacle. The verse emphasizes that "Aaron did ...
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Bris Milah Beautiful or Barbaric?
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsHuman rights groups are trying to make circumcision an illegal act of child molestation.
Message For Me
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsParshat Naso juxtaposes two seemingly unrelated topics: first is the suspected adulterer (the Sotah), followed by a discussion of the Nazirite, ...
The Western Wall: Yesterday and Today
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsThe Wall did not always look like it does today.
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Tears on Tisha BAv
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsDo we appreciate the loss of the Temple to the extent that it brings us to tears?
Dayenu! Many Plagues
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsThe number of plagues was 5-fold, corresponding to the 5-letter Name of God which represents justice.
_(english).jpg "ABC's of Passover")
Director of History
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsRabbi Shraga Simmons shares an inspiring insight from the weekly Torah portion. Your life can change in just one minute! To download the MP3 ...
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Shmini Azeret and Simchat Torah
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsImagine you throw a huge party and invite everyone you know. But this is no "regular" party: It's one solid week of food, music and fun. Eventually ...
Symbolism of the Shofar
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsDuring the blowing of the shofar on Rosh Hashana, notice there are three distinct sounds: - Tekiah – one long, straight blast - Shevarim ...
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Pesach Offering
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsWhy did our ancestors eat the Passover offering at the Holy Temple?
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ABCs of Kosher
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsWhich animals are kosher? How must kosher food be prepared? And why keep kosher in the first place?
You're Either with Him, or You're Not
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsRabbi Shraga Simmons shares an inspiring insight from the weekly Torah portion. Your life can change in just one minute! To download the MP3 ...
Total Harmony
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsParshat Bamidbar begins with a census of the Jewish people. We might think this "reduces everyone to a number." But actually the census teaches that ...
Land for Cash
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsRabbi Shraga Simmons shares an inspiring insight from the weekly Torah portion. Your life can change in just one minute! To download the MP3 ...
_(english).jpg "Tears on Tisha B'Av")
Tears on Tisha B'Av
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsIt's a dynamic that transcends generations: Tisha B'Av and the future of Jerusalem are inextricably linked.
The Desolate Land
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsThe theme of Parshat Bechukotai is the "Tochacha" - a series of devastating predictions of what will befall the Jewish people throughout history - ...
Acts of Human Kindness
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsWhile waiting in line at the bank this week, I opened up an illustrated copy of the Torah and the man next to me must have thought I was a zoologist ...
Careful Speech
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsParshat Behar discusses the issue of "ona'ah" - harming others. In Leviticus 25:14, the Torah prohibits harming others financially, for example by ...
Torah and Community
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsRabbi Shraga Simmons shares an inspiring insight from the weekly Torah portion. Your life can change in just one minute! To download the MP3 ...
Sabbatical and Sinai
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsThis week's essay is dedicated in the merit of Devorah bat Mohtaram, may she gain full health and have an easy birth. Every week, we open our email ...
Discovering What You Already Know
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsRabbi Shraga Simmons shares an inspiring insight from the weekly Torah portion. Your life can change in just one minute! To download the MP3 ...
Blessing of Ephraim & Menashe
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsJacob, realizing he is about to die, gathers his 12 sons to receive a blessing. But first, Jacob calls upon two of his grandchildren ― ...
Torah Model
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsIn Parshat Emor, God tells the Jewish people: "You shall not desecrate My Holy Name, rather I should be sanctified among the Children of Israel." ...
Exile and Return (part 3)
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsAt the end of last week's parsha (Mikeitz), things look grim. Joseph ― having not yet revealed his true identity ― has accused his ...
Filling the Vacuum
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsRabbi Shraga Simmons shares an inspiring insight from the weekly Torah portion. Your life can change in just one minute! To download the MP3 ...
ABC's of Bar/Bat Mitzvah
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsA 7-point guide to the Jewish coming-of-age ceremony.
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Mayor with the Golden Touch
by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith and Rabbi Shraga SimmonsUri Lupolianski, mayor of Jerusalem, has an even bigger claim to fame. An Aish.com exclusive.
How To Be Holy
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsParshat Kedoshim begins with the commandment to "Be holy." How do we achieve holiness? Nachmanides explains that holiness is the result of ...
The Lost Art of Prophecy
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsProphecy ceased with the destruction of the First Temple in 586 BCE.
50-50 Chance
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsParshat Acharei Mot discusses the Yom Kippur service in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. One of the most dramatic moments was when two goats were ...
Exile and Return (part 2)
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsThe Sages enumerate four separate "exiles" that the Jewish people have endured since first settling the Land of Israel 3,300 years ago. ...
The Angel With No Name
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsRabbi Shraga Simmons shares an inspiring insight from the weekly Torah portion. Your life can change in just one minute! To download the MP3 ...
Degrees of Crime
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsRabbi Shraga Simmons shares an inspiring insight from the weekly Torah portion. Your life can change in just one minute! To download the MP3 ...
Light of Dawn
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsThe name of this parsha is "Metzora," which refers to a type of spiritual skin disease. The commentator Sfas Emes explains that the word "Metzora" ...
Exile and Return (part 1)
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsThis week's Parsha features the famous story of Joseph being sold by his jealous brothers. Joseph is sent down to Egypt, and as a result, the Jewish ...
Bitter Herbs and Korech Sandwich
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsThe why's and how's of eating bitter herbs on Seder night.
Accepting the New Reality
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsRabbi Shraga Simmons shares an inspiring insight from the weekly Torah portion. Your life can change in just one minute! To download the MP3 ...
Communal Connection
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsParshat Tazria describes a skin disease called "Tzara'at." The Talmud says this is a spiritual malady that comes when someone speaks Loshon Hara - ...
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Animal Offerings in Temple Times
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsUnderstanding the phenomenon in the 21st century.
The Value of Life
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsThis week's Parsha finds Jacob crossing the Jordan River into Israel. Besides a family of 15, Jacob's entourage includes a slew of servants, and ...
_(english).jpg "Teshuva: Dry Cleaning for the Soul")
Teshuva: Dry Cleaning for the Soul
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsDone something wrong? We all have. Here's how to fix it. Once and for all.
Receiving a Blessing
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsRabbi Shraga Simmons shares an inspiring insight from the weekly Torah portion. Your life can change in just one minute! To download the MP3 ...
Atonement Today Through Prayer and Teshuva
by Rabbi Shraga SimmonsIf there is no Temple, how do we achieve atonement?
