Zalman Tiechtel

Every Jew knows that a Jew doesn’t eat a cheeseburger…but why? What’s the big deal about a drop of milk on my burger? Kabbala explains that milk and meat represents kindness and severity. We must always remember that kindness needs to come first. If our r...

Where in the world is Mount Sinai? Why don’t we go there to visit and pray? There is a powerful message here: The Torah was given to the Jewish people so we take it with us wherever we go. Every place, every moment, and every encounter is an opportunity f...

While others waited at the shore of the Reid Sea, Nachshon walked into the sea and only after this fearless act did the waters split. We too when face with challenges have a choice: we can wait for the dry land before we are prepared to move forward, or w...

Before the promised day of freedom, the Jews were instructed to take a sheep, tie it to their bed and live with it for four days and then slaughter it. What’s the point? The Egyptians used to worship the sheep. By bringing the sheep into their home, the J...

Often we feel like we simply cannot fulfill our missions in life. Then, we are reminded that we are not responsible for what we do not have. All we need to do is utilize the strengths within ourselves and leverage what we do have to do our part and G-d wi...

Many people question why Judaism places such an emphasis on bringing souls down into this world. The name of this week’s Torah portion “Shemot” reminds us that even as Jacob‘s descendants began to multiply and grow, each one had their own individual name....

There’s no denying that too often anti-Semitism rears its ugly head with many Jews feeling intimidated and responding by trying to stay low key. But the very first word in this week’s parsha “Vayigash” reminds us that we respond to intimidation by standin...

Sometimes we feel like we have lost control on the road of life and we don’t know where we are heading. Here’s a reminder that Joseph told his brothers: don’t worry, Hashem is in charge - just follow him to where he takes you. This week’s story is an emot...

Why the oil? What about the miracle of the battle… Is the essence of Chanukah really all about the oil and light? This week’s story takes us to a dark night in one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Los Angeles, California, as a soul is ignited and th...

When you share your own flame to light another candle, not only have you created more light, but your own flame is not diminished at all. The message of Chanukah is for each one of us to be a lamplighter! If you know Alef, share Alef. This week’s story ta...