PARSHAT BEHAR-BECHUKOTAI
May 23-24, 2025 / 26 Iyar 5785 THIS SHABBAT
Mevarchim Hachodesh for the month of Sivan SPECIAL DAYS
Yom Yerushalayim is celebrated on Monday, May 26.
Rosh Chodesh Sivan is celebrated on Wednesday, May 28.
Yom Hameyuchas is celebrated on Thursday, May 29. | | |  FEATURED | | | | | | Statement on DC Shootings | The brazen demands for an end to the Jewish State and the globalization of the intifada have always been a call to violence. The call was answered. These antisemitic murders committed in our nation's capital are a direct result of the organized and effective effort to demonize the Jewish state and to build hatred and encourage violence towards anyone associated with Israel. This should – and likely will not – be a wake-up call to those who self-righteously condemn Israel while ignoring its existential threats; who fail to recognize that antisemitism is a tinder box ready to be ignited by their irresponsible words; and who have yet to accept that calls for violence are not protected speech. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims, Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, bright young people committed to advancing the cause of peaceful coexistence between Israel and her neighbors and between people of all faiths. This commitment was evident in their educational and career choices and in what they wrote about and fought for. We were privileged to see that developing commitment up close in Sarah's meaningful involvement with NCSY's Jewish Student Union in Prairie Village, Kansas. Sarah and Yaron were focused on spreading good in the world and they were cut down by a fire spread by those who tolerate and promote evil. We thank law enforcement for their swift response and pray for strength for our friends at the Israeli Embassy and the American Jewish Committee. | | | | | OU Kashrut Conference in Israel | | OU Kosher | The Chief Rabbis of Israel, notable Roshei Yeshiva, IDF rabbis, and rabbis from across the Charedi community, gathered in Jerusalem at the OU International Kashrut Conference to recognize and honor the OU's work in kashrut. The OU's annual Israel kashrut conference recently took place at the Ramada Hotel in Jerusalem, with the participation of hundreds of kashrut supervisors from Israel and around the world, alongside top halachic authorities and leaders in the kosher certification industry. In a rare and symbolic show of unity, army rabbis in uniform sat side-by-side with Charedi rabbis from across the spectrum. Among the notable participants and presenters were Israel's Chief Rabbis: Rishon LeZion Rabbi David Yosef and Chief Rabbi Kalman Ber, as well as Rabbi Yaakov Shapira (Rosh Yeshiva of Mercaz HaRav and a member of the Chief Rabbinate Council), Rabbi Asher Weiss (a foremost halachic authority), Rabbi David Cohen (Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Chevron), and Rabbi David Feinstein (Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Beit Yehuda). The conference included presentations by OU Kosher CEO Rabbi Menachem Genack and COO Rabbi Moshe Elefant, a Q&A session with OU halachic authority Rabbi Mordechai Gross, and a roundtable discussion on kashrut topics with heads of various kashrut systems. Among them was Rabbi Gavriel Pappenheim, Executive Director of the Badatz-Eidah HaChareidit kashrut committee, who noted: "No organization benefits the public like the OU, which is the largest kashrut body in the world." He also went on to say, "The OU has paved the way for other kashrut organizations to enter raw ingredient production factories around the world." | |  | | Teach Coalition Names Sydney Altfield as National Director | | Teach Coalition | We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Sydney Altfield as the new National Director of Teach Coalition, replacing Founding Director, Maury Litwack. Sydney joins us at the national level after her impressive tenure as Executive Director of Teach NYS, where her leadership has been instrumental in advancing a safe, quality, accessible Jewish education in New York State. Her leadership and passion have consistently delivered for Jewish day schools and yeshivas, and now we look forward to seeing her impact on a national scale. We are excited for Sydney to take on this new role, which reflects our commitment to recognizing and cultivating internal talent. | | | |  AROUND THE OU | |  | | OU Women's Initiative | | Shavuot Ideas and Inspiration | Elevate your Shavuot with the OU Women's Initiative's Shavuot programming, which includes K'Isha Achat, learning the entire Torah with your community, Rosh Chodesh Sivan Lunch 'N Learn with Mrs. Tova Orenbuch, and Counting Toward Sinai. | | Register Now | | |  | | NCSY | | JSU Reaches New Heights | NCSY is excited to announce a major JSU milestone! JSU has officially opened its 450th club and is now active in 39 states across the country. This growth means more teens than ever are connecting, learning, and building their Jewish identity through JSU. | | Learn More About JSU | | |  | | OU-JLIC | | Jewish Grad Students Pay It Forward at JLIC's MedConnect Panel | A recent panel hosted by JLIC West Young Professionals brought together graduate students and professionals to mentor undergraduates interested in healthcare and legal careers, helping them navigate Shabbat observance, holiday schedules, and maintaining their Jewish identity during graduate school. | | Read More | | |  | | Jewish Action | | Shemittah for the Clueless | As this week's parsha introduces the mitzvah of shemittah, discover how this ancient agricultural law comes alive today in this easy-to-read guide written by Rabbi Mordechai Kuber. | | Read More | | |  UPCOMING EVENTS | |  TORAH | |  | | Rabbi Moshe Hauer | | Praying for Peace? | Peace is an odd thing to pray for. Isn't peace something that is upon us to make? Clearly there is peace and argument that we generate ourselves, and peace and argument that come from the outside. | | Read More | | |  | | Rebbetzin Dr. Adina Shmidman | | Held on All Sides | In the opening pasuk of our Haftorah, Yirmiyahu offers a three-part description of the unique layers of Divine support: My strength, my stronghold, and my refuge on the day of distress. The Radak explains that these terms are not synonyms, but rather describe three distinct modes of reliance on Hashem. | | Read More | | |  | | Rabbi Shmuel Goldin | | Yearning to Be Free | Is there a connection between the two disparate yet similar mitzvot of Sefirat HaOmer and the counting towards Yovel, found in such close proximity within the text? | | Read More | | |  | | Rabbi Jack Abramowitz | | One-Liners | Not every question requires an elaborate answer. Here's a mixed bag of real-life "short takes!" | | Read More | | |  | | Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks zt"l | | The Limits of the Free Market | There's a saying: "The rich get richer and the poor get poorer." It is to this phenomenon that the social legislation of parshat Behar is addressed. | | Read More | | |  | | Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb | | All Roads Lead to the Beit Midrash | This week, we read one of a series of double parshiyot, Behar and Bechukotai. Both parshiyot are rich in verses which lend themselves to diverse explanations and elaborations, many of which are to be found in the vast Midrashic literature with which we are blessed. | | Read More | | |  | | Halacha Yomis | | Fish Fell into My Cholent | A few drops of fish juice fell into my cholent. They are clearly less than 1 part in 60. Is the cholent still acceptable? | | | | |
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