Following the right directions

A question for Rabbi Michoel Gourarie. Read more

One day or one lifetime

There is an interesting halachic discussion regarding the Mitzvah of Sefirat Haomer – the forty-nine days that we count between the festival of Pesach and Shavuot. The authorities debate whether counting the Omer is considered one long mitzvah, or forty-nine independent obligations. Read more

“IN” but  not  “FOR”

We often read and learn about the power of “living in the moment”. Read more

Thailand – do it every day

This past week the world was captivated, united and amazed by the remarkable rescue of a soccer team and their coach from complex and dangerous circumstances…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie. Read more

Cheesecake

In just over a week we will celebrate the Festival of Shavuot – the anniversary of the giving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie. Read more

Non-Kosher kindness

When presenting the laws of Kashrut, the Torah (in this week’s Torah portion – Shemini) lists all the Non-Kosher birds. Read more

A few minutes of care

Recently I was thinking about a concept that I learned in primary school when I was in fourth or fifth grade…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie. Read more

A lesson from a handyman…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

This Shabbos, the 18^th day of the month of Elul marks the anniversary of the birth of the Baal Shem Tov, the founder of the Chassidic movement. Read more

Give up control…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

Our sages say: “He who gets angry is like an idol worshipper.” We can understand that losing our temper is ineffective and detrimental to our personal growth. But comparing anger with idolatry seems a little overboard and harsh. Why is it so severe? Read more

Do it Today…writes Rabbi Michael Gourarie

One of the secrets of success is to respond quickly to a project or a task as soon as it comes our way. Read more

Be a child

Growth, change and self-development aren’t always easy. They require a lot of effort, and some risk taking…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie. Read more

The ladder of growth…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

In preparation for BINA’s 20 years celebration, I have been reading a book called “Practical Kabbalah,” authored by our upcoming guest speaker Rabbi Laibl Wolf from Melbourne.  I share with you a short idea from the beginning of the book where he discusses the importance of personal growth. Read more

Learning by choice…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

Yesterday I came across a podcast in which Alan Jones (a Sydney radio host) discusses the value of daily homework, with a school principal. Read more

The Best and the Worst…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

The Midrash relates the following story about a great Talmudic sage. Read more

Tick the box

My grandfather once shared with me the following thought…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie. Read more

Looks and opinions…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

In discussing the differences between people, the Talmud makes the following statement: “Just as the physical features of every human being is different, so too do their views differ from each other.”  Read more

Tonight we dip twice

“On all other nights, we do not dip even once. On this night, we dip twice”…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie. Read more

Is your cup overflowing?…asks Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

In Jewish tradition all important events are marked with a blessing recited over a cup of wine. Read more

Describing or Creating 

How can we speak positively and be realistic at the same time?…asks Rabbi Michoel Gourarie. Read more

Do we always have to eat?…asks Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

Why are we Jews so obsessed with food? Read more

Beyond language and geography…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

This past Sunday night I attended the annual Kinus Hashluchim (conference of Chabad emissaries) banquet together with 4000 colleagues from around the world.  Read more

It’s not the blowing…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

We are just over two weeks away from Rosh Hashanah, the beginning of a new year.   Read more

Double strength…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

This coming Shabbat in Shul we complete the entire book of Vayikra (Leviticus). Read more

Finding it again

Can you find respect for a person again once you have lost it? Rabbi Michoel Gourarie explores this problem. Read more

In your actions…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

I would like to share with you something personal. Read more

Defining Morality

Most normal human beings have a desire to pursue moral behaviour. The only question is what the definition of morality is. The Oxford definition – principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behaviour – only shifts the question from ‘what is moral?’ to ‘what is right?’ Read more

One day or one lifetime

There is an interesting halachic discussion regarding the Mitzvah of Sefirat Haomer – the forty nine days that we count between the festival of Pesach and Shavuot. Read more

Fire and ice

Part of the Haggadah story is the ten plagues…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie.  Read more

Is your cup overflowing?…asks Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

In Jewish tradition all important events are marked with a blessing recited over a cup of wine. Read more

Get busy…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

The Kotzker Rebbe (a famous Chassidic leader) once said: “I don’t want my disciples to abstain from sin because they fear negative consequence. I want them to be free of sin simply because they have no time to transgress.” Read more

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