We will sit down to the Seder this year while our people suffer. Israel faces simultaneous attacks by Hamas, Hezbollah, Yemen, Iraq, and Iran. More than a hundred Jews are still in captivity. Antisemitism is rampant and acceptable again in coffee shops, public squares, public schools, and college campuses.
The saga …
Sh’lach: Kosher for an Hour
The Odd Interpretation
Our Parsha tells a story of twelve agents sent by Moshe to Israel. The Torah testifies that they first embarked with noble intentions despite their later submission of a negative report, which drove the nation to despair. In Rashi’s words, “they were kosher at that hour.” Why does …
B’Ha’alotcha: The Grand Design
A Missed Flight
Several days after my son’s circumcision, my wife and I went to visit the Mohel (Rabbi who performs circumcisions), who told us a remarkable tale of divine providence. He was once asked to perform a ritual circumcision in Lake Taho, to which he was required to travel …
B’Ha’alotcha: Personal Freedom
A Meaningless Holiday?
In this week’s Parsha we read that several people, unable to participate in the offering of the Pascal lamb, approached Moses a asked for a second chance. Mosesconsulted with G-d thus the 14’th of “Iyar” was consecrated as “Pesach Sheini,” a second Passover.
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B’Ha’alotcha: Manna and Shabbat
A Connection
Our Parsha describes the manner in which the Manna from heaven was delivered to our ancestors in the desert. It has been said that if one forgets which Parsha to read on any given Shabbat he should read the Parsha of the manna. This indicates a connection between the …
Naso: The Choices we Make
Show Me the Money
If I set two plates before you, one filled with cookies, the other with a million dollars, which one would you choose? Consider the benefit you and society could derive from the money. Contrast that with the short term pleasure and long term belly-ache that the cookies …
Shavuot : You Can Do It
The Oath
The Jewish nation received the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai three thousand three hundred and eighteen years ago. Every year, on the anniversary of this date, this biblical episode is commemorated by Jews around the world during a special holiday called Shavuot, which means weeks, thus called because this …
Naso: Who Is the Misfit Anyway?
A Deeper Meaning
The first verse of this Parsha, tells us to “raise the head of the tribal family Gershon”. In addition to the simple meaning of the words, “raise the heads,” which means take a census; there is a deeper meaning that lies submerged beneath the text. With a little …
Naso: Transforming The Desert
A G-dless Environment
The Temple service, described in our Parsha, was held in an arid and barren locale, the desert. G-d charged our ancestors with a special mission: transform the desert and make it bloom, bloom with the flowering blossoms of spirituality. In our day we have a similar mission: transform …
Parsha Insights »
Bo: Uncovering Divine Mysteries
In Awe of Pharaoh
G-d commanded Moses to come to Pharaoh and instruct him to release the Jewish people from bondage. Why did G-d tell Moses to come to Pharaoh and not go to Pharaoh? The Zohar answers that Pharaoh’s aura and power overwhelmed Moses and he was afraid to enter …
Yearly Cycle »
Shemot: Empathy in the Face of Suffering
A Mother’s Pain
A mother returned from her child’s funeral and approached the master. Through her tears, she begged him to tell her why her beloved child had had to die. The master asked her, “Do you really want to know?”
“Yes, of course I do” she replied.
“Are you sure?” asked the …
Concepts »
Sukkot: Public Displays of Jewish Pride
Inside Outside
I know you are Jewish at home, but are you comfortable with your Judaism on the street? Would you walk home from Shull with a Talit (prayer shawls) on your shoulders? Do you sport a kippah (head covering) when shopping at your local grocery store? Are you Jewish outside …
Rabbi’s Desk »
What Can We Do?
These past two days have been the most difficult for our people in the last fifty years. It was Simchat Torah, a time for rejoicing, yet it was a time of horror. Nearly a thousand members of our family were brutally murdered, more than a hundred were taken hostage, and …
