Torah Corner

The Torah blog of Rabbi Yosef A. Cohen, MD of the Fleetwood Synagogue

Below you can find links to blog posts covering a range of topics. Rabbi Cohen writes about the parsha, chagim, and halacha, as well as a range of medical questions and how these topics overlap. 

There are also posts available on YUTorah by both Rabbis Cohen and Dayan.

The top of the page displays the most recent posts, while the categories section below can connect you to summaries and posts on a particular topic. 

Recent Posts

  • The Fleetwood Synagogue SoundCloud Page

    In addition to the various blog posts directly on the Torah Corner here on the Fleetwood Synagogue website, there are a large number of audio files on the Fleetwood SoundCloud page. These are audio only, without written commentary beyond the file name. The entire page is embedded below, although only a […]

  • The Purpose of the Ten Plagues

    The dramatic and exciting exit from Egypt is quickly undermined by the Egyptian’s almost instantaneous regret of allowing the Jewish people to leave. Furious by the departure of their slaves, seeking revenge for the utter destruction on their land and people, the powerful Egyptian calvary, led by Paroh, geared up […]

  • Accusation of the Brothers

    The second of the confrontations between Yosef and his brothers has been given much less thought than the original dramatic, ויגש אליו יהודה. It is however much more depressing. Here, the brothers have lived together for a number of years and once their father dies they are immediately concerned that […]

  • Chanukah

    Few episodes in Tanach stand as models of terrible events that will befall the Jewish people throughout their history. In brutal fashion brothers, flesh and blood, gathered together and plotted to murder and then eventually settled on selling one of their own. Tragic in its own right, the episode will […]

  • Avraham Woke Up Early: a model of compassion

    Jews have always responded to tragedy and triumph in similar ways, namely, understanding the events through a halachic prism. The recent war has resulted in the reproduction of halachic literature not seen in some time either condemning or praising the Israeli army’s careful consideration of the targets it picks in […]

  • Shmini Atzeret

    Today we face a halachic crisis. Over the Yamim Noraim our task was clear, we had reached the pinnacle point of spirituality and were devoting a day exclusively to bonding with Hashem. Over Sukkot, we knew what we needed to do. As we discussed, our goal then was to allow […]

  • Simchat Torah: A Raw Emotional Response

    Raw Words of Shock and Horror I do not know what to say. I stand before you as rabbi of our shul and I do not know what to say. Over 500 feared dead Over 100 feared abducted Over 1,000 wounded I do not know what to say. Ever since […]

  • Akiva, You’ve Comforted Us

    עקיבא נחמתנו The Gemara in Makkot describes how Rabbi Akiva and other Jewish leaders were touring the horrific destruction of Yirushalyim and the Beit Hamikdash. As the great leaders of the Jewish people came across the total demolition of the Holy City they ripped their clothes in mourning. As they […]

  • Halachic Talking Part I

    A. Background Production of sound by biological species requires phonation, the production of primary vocal tones by the vocal folds. Arytenoids, pyramidal shaped cartilages on the upper border of the cricoid cartilage, serve as the attachment sites for some of the intrinsic muscles of the larynx which allows for the […]

Categories of the Posts of the Torah Corner

Tags of the Posts of the Torah Corner Blog

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