Articles in Parsha Insights
Bereishit: Free Choice
Is He Really There?
“In The Beginning G-d Created The Heaven And The Earth”. These words have sparked many arguments over the years, both theological and philosophical. Monotheism versus atheism, creationism versus evolutionism, religious over secular; a potpourri of choices are laid out before you and you are free to choose.
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Bereishit: The Serpent Within
Evil Inclination
In this week’s Parsha we read of the dialogue between Eve and the serpent. Jewish sources tell us that the serpent’s spirit is the archetypal Yetzer Hara, evil inclination, that exists within every Jew. It therefore follows that an analysis of the serpent’s words will familiarize us with our …
Lech Lecha: The Essence of Judaism
Why be Jewish?
As a rabbi I am often asked why it is important to be Jewish. A plethora of answers are offered, but only one is intellectually honest. Some argue that Judaism is a religion of ethics. Others say that it encourages free thinking and open dialogue. Others invoke Judaism’s …
Chukas: Spare the Rod
The Debate
Modern society has long debated the merit of corporal punishment. Generations of children were raised with physical discipline, but current popular psychology argues against it. Today, the rod must be spared, even when children stubbornly refuse to comply, lest the children be spoiled.
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Nitzavim Vayelech: Genuine Growth
To Tell or Not To Tell
On the first day of school, hoping to impress the class with his experience, my brother’s teacher listed the many schools where he had taught over the previous decade. One boy , dully impressed, but not quite in the way the teacher had hoped, wondered, …
Ki Tavo: Serving in A Selfish World
Father and Son
After a long and agonizing separation, Jacob and Joseph were finally reunited at the ancient gates of Egypt. What did the loving father do at that moment? Did he embrace his son and release his pent-up tears? No, he recited the Shema, proclaiming his faith in G-d.
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Ki Tavo: Pondering the Harvest
A Fruit Offering
“As you enter the land that G-d your lord has given to you and inherit it and settle it. You shall take from the first…fruit of the earth… and bring it to… G-d.”
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Ki Tavo: Content with our Lot
The Impoverished Levite
“And you shall rejoice with all of the bounty that Hashem your lord has given to you, to your household, and to the Levite.” The Torah encourages us to count our blessings, to rejoice, and to be satisfied with our lot.In ancient days the Levite was not given …
