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April 16, 2026 – 8:50 pm | Comments Off on Healing the Great Divide44 views

This week’s Torah portion speaks of the mysterious lesions that appeared on the skin of those who trafficked in gossip. Their punishment was at once severe and precise: they were cast into isolation for up to three weeks, until their affliction healed.
The Torah enumerates many forms of ritual impurity. Some …

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Articles in Parsha Insights

Lech L’cha: Blood Is Thicker

November 6, 2005 – 5:13 am | Comments Off on Lech L’cha: Blood Is Thicker3,436 views
blood_thicker_water

Going To War
We All know the story. Marauding armies captured Lot when they conquered the rebellious cities of Sedom and Amorah. Upon hearing that Lot was in captivity, Avraham, his servant Eliezer and a handful of men, chased his captors in an effort to liberate Lot. Avraham succeeded and was …

Lech L’cha: The Truly Meaningful

November 6, 2005 – 5:08 am | Comments Off on Lech L’cha: The Truly Meaningful3,090 views
truly beautiful - innerstream

Oh, He Finally Noticed?
Our Parsha speaks of the journey made by Avraham and his wife Sarah to the land of Egypt. Fearing for Sarah’s safety in the face of Egyptian immorality, he said to her “ Behold I have noticed that you are beautiful”, and proceeded to outline a plan …

Pekudei: Was Iraq Freed?

November 4, 2005 – 2:13 am | Comments Off on Pekudei: Was Iraq Freed?3,582 views
was iraq freed - innerstream

This essay was written in 2005, when the US led effort to bring democracy to Iraq was still in its infancy.
Democracy in Iraq
The international media has subjected the US-led coalition that liberated Iraq and established a democratic government, to intense scrutiny and even criticism.

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Pinchas : Same Sex Marriage Part One

November 4, 2005 – 2:03 am | Comments Off on Pinchas : Same Sex Marriage Part One3,862 views

This essay is not related to the Parsha of the week but is posted here
because the subject has recently become a household topic of discussion

[Part one of three]
The Debate

Same Sex Marriage is a front-page news item debated in North American
media, legislatures and courts. The topic has recently piqued again
because of …

Matot: Same Sex Marriage Part Two

November 4, 2005 – 2:03 am | Comments Off on Matot: Same Sex Marriage Part Two3,830 views

Two Arguments
Same Sex Marriage is often defended on the following grounds.1.Legalizing behavior that is religiously forbidden doesn't imply that such behavior is beyond religious reproach. It simply implies that such behavior is beyond secular reproach. Though such behavior violates religious values we must not bring such concerns to the public …

Welcome to Inner Stream Parsha Insights

November 3, 2005 – 8:55 am | Comments Off on Welcome to Inner Stream Parsha Insights3,800 views

Welcome to Innerstream's “Parsha insights” section, where essays on the weekly Parsha are posted.
If you would like to explore any of these essays please click on one of the links provided below and a list of Parshiot will appear in the “Contents” menu on the left side of your screen. …

Noach: Eternal Rays of Light

November 2, 2005 – 3:32 pm | Comments Off on Noach: Eternal Rays of Light3,512 views
eternal rays of light - innerstream

The Sunset
Several years ago, I sat with my family at the shores of Lake Huron enjoying a picturesque sunset. The sun descended over the water in a spectacular ball of fire and painted the cloudless sky in deep hues of purple and red. Enchanted by the majesty of the moment, …

Vayera: Generosity Pays

November 2, 2005 – 1:33 am | Comments Off on Vayera: Generosity Pays3,358 views
generosity

A Pillar of Salt
G-d destroyed the city of Sedom but saved Lot and his family. As they were escaping the angel instructed them to look forward. “Don’t look behind you, lest you be swept away” (in G-d’s wrath.) Lot didn’t look back but his wife did and she was cruelly …