Effective leadership…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

This past Tuesday (7^th of Adar), we commemorated the birth and passing of Moshe Rabeinu – Moses. He was the great leader that took us out of Egypt and led us to Jewish nationhood at Mt. Sinai.  Read more

The beauty behind the fog

A few years ago, my wife and I spent a few days in the Blue Mountains…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie. Read more

Learning to trust…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

In Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) our sages teach us many lessons in personal growth. Read more

Just a box of chocolates

In January 1987 a few days after our wedding, my wife and I together with my parents and younger sister had the great merit to visit Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneersohn (wife of the Lubavitcher Rebbe o.b.m.)…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie. Read more

Tu Bishvat and the new BINA term

This coming Monday we will celebrate Tu Bishvat, known as the Rosh Hashanah of trees. It is customary to eat fruit on this day and thank G-d for the wonderful blessings that He gives us. Read more

Nature, nurture or both

Summer learning at BINA. Read more

How is your jug of oil?…asks Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

What is happening to our world? Terrorist attacks in France, stabbings/shootings in Israel, and worldwide security alert updates are all making me depressed. I feel like I am losing my conviction, passion, and faith. I know that this is wrong but what should I do with all this negativity?  Read more

Can you unpack?…asks Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

The most difficult part of any trip is unpacking when we return home. Read more

A Sukkos thought – true happiness

This Sunday evening the festival of Sukkos begins. It is a time of joy and celebration. How do we achieve true happiness?…asks Rabbi Michoel Gourarie. Read more

Don’t get depressed – get inspired

Rabbi Michoel Gourarie asks and answers if one can forget the past at Yom Kippur and move on. Read more

Rosh Hashanah, The Shabbat Project and 4G

Rabbi Michoel Gourarie finds a lesson in Rosh Hashanah. Read more

Life is not a game of chess

We are currently in the Jewish month of Elul. In just over three weeks from now, we will celebrate Rosh Hashanah and usher in the New Year. In preparation for this auspicious event we are given this period – a month of opportunity…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie. Read more

Just one small candle…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

Rabbi Michoel Gourarie is asked how a person can help friends in need of advice. Read more

How old are you?…asks Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

The Talmud relates that the great sage Rabbi Elazar ben Azaria was asked to assume the leadership of the Sanhedrin – The Jewish Supreme Court. Read more

Everyone can light a fire

In this week’s Torah portion we read that Moses was told to instruct his brother Aaron (the high priest) to kindle the seven candles the golden Menora (candelabra). Read more

Don’t be an angel…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

There are different ways that parents praise their children when they are being really good. One compliment I often hear parents give is: “you are such an angel.”  Read more

Turning Milk into Cheese

Apparently one of the reasons we eat milk products on Shavuot is that the Torah (which we received on Shavuot) is compared to milk and honey. So what is the big fuss with the cheesecake? Wouldn’t a glass of milk be enough or is there something specific about the cheese? Read more

Mountain or opportunity?

Rabbi Michoel Gourarie discussed relationship issues… Read more

Harmless gossip?…asks Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

In this week’s Torah Portion we learn about the transgression of gossip (Lashon Horah) which is considered a serious transgression. Read more

Good Lying…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

Is lying sometimes the safer option? Read more

Pesach: Another question

Rabbi Michoel Gourarie has another question about Peach… Read more

Breaking the 18-minute rule…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

In just over a week we will celebrate Passover, which begins with the Pesach Seder. One of the important Mitzvot of the Seder is the eating of Shmura Matzah. Read more

Respecting the Challah…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

When we make the Friday night Kiddush the two Challot are covered. One of the reasons for this practice is about the treatment of the Challah. Read more

Respect them when they are alive…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

I am often puzzled by the following. When someone passes away G-d forbid, especially in tragic circumstances, we often hear genuine expressions of praise and detailed descriptions of the wonderful things that they did and the values that he/she lived by. So the question I have is – Do only good people pass away? Read more

Purim and Noise…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

The festival of Purim (celebrated this year on Wednesday night 4 March and Thursday 5 March) is just a few days away. Read more

The Source of Happiness…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

The festival of Purim is just under two weeks away. Read more

The Wick…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

One of the many lessons of the Chanukah lights can be derived from a law that the flames must burn through a wick. Read more

The individual and the whole

The holiest Jewish object is the Sefer Torah – the Torah scroll…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie. Read more

A great example of love without respect

The great Talmudic sage Rabbi Akiva had 24,000 disciples…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie. Read more

R.E.L.A.T.E Part 1 – What comes first

Jewish marriage begins with the signing of the Ketuba (legal marriage document) in which the groom pledges to be a good and faithful husband…writes Rabbi Michoel Gourarie. Read more

« Previous Page — Next Page »