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Sharona Margolin Halickman

Jun 3, 2026, 9:07 PM

Why were the scouts permitted to take the grapes?

In Parshat Shlach, we read about the 40 days that the scouts checked out the Land of Israel. We don’t know about all of the places that they went to but we do know the following (Bamidbar 13:21-24): They went...

Jun 2, 2026, 3:16 PM

From Tourists to Inhabitants: The Negev’s New-Old Wine Story

Last month something quietly remarkable happened: the Negev was officially recognized as a protected Geographical Indication — effectively an appellation — for wine. It is the kind of development that passes unnoticed amid war, politics, grief and the endless stream...

May 14, 2026, 9:28 PM

Should a L’Chaim Be Prohibited?

A good friend of mine, Lou D’Angelo, shared an interesting article titled “L’Chaim” by Leibel Kahan, which reports that when Sonoma Valley’s shaliach, Chabad Rabbi Mendel Wenger, discovered there was no local boutique winery producing kosher wine, he decided...

Jose Lev Alvarez Gomez

Apr 21, 2026, 7:32 AM

Israel Keeps Golan as Syria Joins Abraham Accords

With Israel and Lebanon working towards a longstanding peaceful settlement and neutralizing Hezbollah’s terrorist machinery, the moment has arrived for a full normalization with Syria too. This means diplomatic recognition, economic ties, and a strategic partnership under the Abraham...

Sharona Margolin Halickman

Mar 17, 2026, 6:35 PM

The contribution of Israel’s olives and grapes

In Parshat Vayikra (Vayikra 1:7-8) we read: The sons of Aharon, the Kohen shall place (ignite) a fire on the altar and they shall arrange logs on the fire. The sons of Aharon, the Kohanim, shall arrange the pieces, the...

Sharona Margolin Halickman

Feb 8, 2026, 11:56 PM

The Dangers of an Open Pit

When studying the laws of damages in Parshat Mishpatim, we come across the dangers of an open pit (Shmot 21:33-34): If a man uncovers a pit (bor) or if a man digs a pit, and does not cover it, and...

Talyah Ginsberg

Jan 25, 2026, 3:09 PM

Dry January and the art of wanting something you’re not allowed to want

Sweets and whiskey. (iStock)

I gave up alcohol. And sugar. No chocolate. No biscuits. No cake. No ice cream. No emergency spoonful of Nutella eaten straight from the jar. And I have 6 days to go...

Reuven Chaim Klein

Dec 27, 2025, 11:39 PM

A Gallery of White – lavan, chivar, and tzochar

While on his deathbed, Jacob gathered his sons to offer them blessings before his demise. In doing so, Jacob prayed that the future territory of his son Judah will yield an abundance, saying that the Tribe of Judah should...

Sharona Margolin Halickman

Dec 22, 2025, 2:58 PM

Binyamin is like a wolf that seizes

Despite Binyamin being Yaakov’s youngest child, the Divine Presence always rested in his portion as we see in the Talmud (Zevachim 118b): Rav Dimi came related in the name of Rebbi: In three places the Divine Presence rested upon Israel: In...

Dec 1, 2025, 7:47 PM

Closing Down a Wine Bar in the Negev: ‘We only have 30 Minutes’

In the few visits my father made to Israel over a two-year period, he mentioned Masada 499 times. But I only heard it the 500th, when my wife, Abby, nudged me to sit down and plan a trip for...

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