The Message of the Smuggled Shofar– Thoughts on Parshat Nitzavim/Vayeilech 5773
This week’s Torah portion of Nitzavim and Vayeilech are among the last portions in the Torah, and are always read in the weeks leading up to Rosh Hashanah- the New Year. Rosh Hashanah, according to...
View ArticleThe Melody of Torah: Thoughts on Parshat Haazinu 5773
Imagine that you are asked to find one word to describe the entire Torah, Judaism’s holiest text. The likely response would be something in the realm of the following: holy, sacred, spiritual,...
View ArticleTo Return to Ourselves-The Meaning of Teshuva
In the days and weeks leading up to Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, the Days of Awe, the concept of Teshuva (repentance) takes center stage in the Jewish mindset. For an entire month before Rosh Hashana,...
View ArticleChange that will last: The message of Sukkot
As the Days of Awe (Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur) draw to a close, the Jewish calendar immediately greets us with the festive holiday of Sukkot. Radically opposite in tone and mindset, the Days of Awe...
View ArticleThe Essence of Shabbat -Thoughts on Parshat Bereisheit
In the beginning verses of the book of Genesis we encounter one of the most often misunderstood concepts in the Jewish tradition: Shabbat (the Sabbath Day). The Torah, while concluding its narrative of...
View ArticleBelieving in Ourselves- The Lesson of Noach
The beginning of this week’s Torah portion opens with great praise of Noach, a man of sterling character whose praiseworthy description of righteousness is unique from among all other biblical...
View ArticleThe Faith to Persevere -Thoughts on Parshat Lech Lecha
In this week’s Torah portion we are introduced to Abraham, the father of the Jewish people, in a very abrupt and peculiar fashion. The verse states, “God said to Abram,” Go for yourself from your land,...
View ArticleRecognizing the Divine in Others-Thoughts on Parshat Vayeira
Judaism can be misunderstood as a set of laws that focus solely on one’s relationship with God, with the interpersonal relationships between man and his fellow taking an unfortunate back seat. For some...
View ArticleFinding True Love-Thoughts on Parshat Chaya Sarah
The journey to find true and lasting love is one that most people travel at least once in their lifetime. The need to give love and to be loved is one of those facets of life that we can’t seem to live...
View ArticleTo Nurture with Love- Thoughts on Parshat Toldot
The verses in this week’s Torah portion describe the births, characteristics and personalities of Isaac and Rebecca’s twin sons, Esau and Jacob. The verses write, “And her days to give birth were...
View ArticleThe “Siren Song” of Peace
If I had to choose one underlying and central theme in Judaism, I would suggest that above all, the virtue of peace is most fundamental. The great Sage Hillel, in Ethics of the Fathers, notes, “Be of...
View ArticleIt’s Ok to Be Human- Thoughts on Parshat Vayeitzei
It has become a growing trend to idolize Torah personalities, Jewish leaders and great rabbis almost to the point of total discounting of their human emotions and natural weaknesses. This presents a...
View ArticleUnity Of Israel-Thoughts on Parshat Vayishlach
Many of the issues and challenges that confront the Jewish world and the State of Israel seem to revolve around our inability to put aside our differences and to unite together as one people. This...
View ArticleThe Dreams of Joseph- Thoughts on Parshat Vayeishev
Behold, we were binding sheaves in the midst of the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright, and behold, your sheaves encircled it and prostrated themselves to my sheaf.”… And he again...
View ArticleJoseph, Freud, and the interpretation of dreams – thoughts on Parshat Miketz
And behold, from the Nile were coming up seven cows, of handsome appearance and robust flesh…. And behold, seven other cows were coming up after them from the Nile, of ugly appearance and lean of...
View ArticleIn those days, in our times – a Chanukah perspective
And (we thank You) for the miracles, and for the salvation, and for the mighty deeds, and for the victories, and for the battles which You performed for our forefathers in those days, at this time.”(Al...
View ArticleThe balance between tradition and innovation – thoughts on Parshat Vayigash
In the beginning of this week’s Torah portion, we find an interesting dialogue between Judah and the Viceroy of Egypt –who, unbeknownst to him, is his long lost brother Joseph. The exchange begins with...
View ArticleFreedom of body and soul – thoughts on Parshat Shemot 5774
This week’s Torah portion begins with the rise of a new Pharoah in Egypt, and the subsequent enslavement and subjugation of the Jewish people under his regime. The verses relate that Pharaoh appointed...
View ArticleThe importance of our roots – thoughts on Parshat Va’era 5774
“Were I to forget where I come from, my life would become barren and sterile. Were I to forget whom I am the descendent of, I would be doomed to despair.” (Elie Wiesel Rashi pg 5) Last week’s Torah...
View ArticleThe Model of Jewish Education -Thoughts on Parshat Bo 5774
This week’s Torah portion recounts the last of the ten plagues, the first celebration of the holiday of Passover and the dramatic departure of the Children of Israel from the Land of Egypt. The Torah,...
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