- By Rabbi C. Edelstein, Rosh Yeshiva Outdoors

There are more commandments-mitzvot given this week, including the shmita year of rest for the land, yovel (50th year when land is returned to its proper inheritors, and slaves are freed) and the mitzvot prohibiting wrongdoing in business.

By Rabbi C. Edelstein, Rosh Yeshiva Outdoors

During the Pesach seder each year we sing Dayeinu “enough for us” as a song of thanks and praise for the many miracles and gifts that G-d has given us.

Co-Authored by Rabbi C. Edelstein and Alex Hamilton.

The first Seder was one of humble origins. We were told to eat our Passover sacrifice with our walking sticks in hand and sandal on our feet.

By Rabbi C. Edelstein, Rosh Yeshiva Outdoors

“This is how you shall eat it: your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it hurriedly: it is a passover offering to the LORD. “

By Rabbi C. Edelstein, Rosh Yeshiva Outdoors.

Here’s an interesting problem: in order for you to survive you must consume fuel by means of food. However, the more you “do,” the less time you have to prepare worthwhile food for yourself and those with you.

-By Alex Hamilton, Torah and Camping Expert Contributer

- By Rabbi C. Edelstein, Rosh Yeshiva Outdoors

In the final two readings from Shemot, we have essentially a list of donors and a care and packing list for the equipment and furnishing of the Mishkan.

- By Rabbi C. Edelstein, Rosh Yeshiva Outdoors

Have you ever taken time to wonder if you are becoming more like the people you spend the most time with?

- By Rabbi C. Edelstein, Rosh Yeshiva Outdoors

We’re all been there: standing in an outdoor gear shop wondering if that little orange or red bell would really do anything…

- By Rabbi C. Edelstein, Rosh Yeshiva Outdoors

Our parasha this week is Terumah. It discusses in depth the way in which the ‘Tabernacle’ (משכן) is to be built.

-Alex Hamilton, Torah and Camping Expert Contributor

At the end of last week‘s Torah portion, Yitro, we read about the requirement to not build a set of stairs up to the altar at the Tabernacle and at the end of this week’s Torah portion we read that Moses accomplishes this by building a ramp up to the altar.

- By Rabbi C. Edelstein, Rosh Yeshiva Outdoors

The rabbis of the Talmud interpret the prohibition of stealing as kidnapping people (literally, “stealing souls”)…

- Alex Hamilton, Torah and Camping Expert Contributor

One of the things I gave up in order to prepare for my Bar Mitzvah was the Boy Scouts.

- By Rabbi C. Edelstein, Rosh Yeshiva Outdoors

It is much harder to change than it is to stay the same.