This evening we discuss why are we here. Why did God, who is perfect and lacks nothing, need to create the universe and all of us? And we provide a fundamental answer from Rabbi Chaim Voloshin, demonstrated by an inspiring story by Rabbi Yechiel Spero. We analyze the first of 613 commandments - be fruitful and multiply - showing the different paths by which every person can fulfill this. We discuss the pain felt by those experiencing infertility, and share sensitive suggestions on what to say and do, and not say or do. And we discuss the subject of abortion in Jewish law, exploring a possible Biblical source in our Parsha. From here we derive a dramatic and inspiring lesson from Rabbi Veitzan, whose son was killed near Gaza last Shabbat, but whose life contains many hundreds of years of life he gave to others.

Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill University Faculty of Law. ADATH is a modern orthodox synagogue community in suburban Montreal, providing Judaism for the next generation. We take great pleasure in welcoming everyone with a warm smile, while sharing inspiration through prayer, study, and friendship.

Rabbi Whitman shares his thoughts and inspirations through online lectures and shiurim, which are available on:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5FLcsC6xz5TmkirT1qObkA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adathmichael/

Podcast - Mining the Riches of the Parsha:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/mining-the-riches-of-the-parsha/id1479615142?fbclid=IwAR1c6YygRR6pvAKFvEmMGCcs0Y6hpmK8tXzPinbum8drqw2zLIo7c9SR-jc

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3hWYhCG5GR8zygw4ZNsSmO

Please contact Rabbi Whitman ([email protected]) with any questions for feedback, or to receive a daily email, "Study with Rabbi Whitman Today," with current and past insights for that day, video, and audio, all in one short email sent directly to your inbox.