G-d wants our love. How much love does He want? Whatever we are prepared to give, and then some.
“And you shall love G-d with all your heart, with all your life, and with all your might.”[1] This verse demands that we give G-d three kinds of love. The love of …
Nitzavim: Get Out Of Jail
Two Poles
The Torah section that we read each year on the Shabbat before Rosh Hashanah, begins with the words “You all stand this day before the Lord, your God, the leaders of your tribes, your elders and your officers, every man of Israel, your young ones, your women, and your …
Ki Tavo: Reach Out
Cell Phone Reach Out
Good news for all those who have been trying to reach me via cell, text or other forms of digital communication. My withdrawal from the cell phone world has come to an end. My service provider delivered my new cell phone and I am connected again. But …
Ki Tetze: Character Lessons
Abomination
When you hear the word abomination, which sin do you think of? Well we all know which one we think of, but that is not the only sin that the Torah calls an abomination. In fact, all carnal sins are characterized as such. It therefore comes as a surprise that …
Ki Tetze: The Strongest Marriage
A Marriage
“Ah, Marriage,” sighed a middle aged man. “The other day I was admiring myself in a full length mirror and I asked my wife whether she would still like me when I am bald, fat and old. ‘I do,’ she replied.”
Marriages are notorious for one-line zingers, but we tell …
Shoftim: Parenting
The Oys of Parenting
If, as the Torah says, humans are similar to trees, then parenting is a lot like gardening. You can read about it in books, but you don’t know what you are doing until you get your hands dirty.
I don’t know of a single parent that learned to …
Shoftim: The Honest Court
Define Honesty
A tour group visited a court house and watched the court in session. The guide showed them the judge, jury, prosecutor, defense counsel and witnesses. “You see,” said the guide, “it takes many people to turn the wheels of justice.” At that point the prisoner called out from his …
Re’eh: Charity
Rewards
Charity is an obligation and even an investment. In some ways it is also a gift, but to the giver, not the recipient. The Talmud speaks of a righteous man called Benjamin who fed a poor woman and her seven daughters during a famine. Shortly thereafter, Benjamin fell ill and …
Ekev: Study First
Study and Practice
To be a fully engaged Jew, one must study the Torah and practice its commandments. Torah study enables us to explore G-d’s mind, as it were. This draws us closer to Him, nourishes our souls and informs our spiritual mindset. Practicing the Torah’s commandments marries theory to reality …
Parsha Insights »
The Festival and Shabbat
Sanctity and Joy
When a Jewish festival falls on Friday, it merges directly into Shabbat. This gives us pause as we reflect on the differences between the festival and Shabbat.
Yearly Cycle »
Ninth of Av: A positive Perspective
Past and Future
During the upcoming Hebrew month of Tamuz, Jews around the world will observe a three-week semi mourning period marking the destruction of the ancient Jewish Temple in Jerusalem.
It has been close to two thousand years since the destruction of the Temple and every year on this day Jews …
Concepts »
Sh’lach L’chah : Despite All Odds
Communicating Truths
In May of 1967, an Egyptian parliamentary delegation visiting Moscow was told that Israel had concentrated its army on the Syrian border and that an imminent Israeli invasion of Syria should be expected.
Rabbi’s Desk »
Festival Shabbat: Show Respect
United Airlines
Social media is abuzz with the terrible story that occurred on United Airlines several days ago. Dr, Dao, a 69 year old physician on a flight from Chicago to Louisville, was physically dragged off a plane after being beaten by three police officers. The physician’s crime was refusing to …
