Articles in Parsha Insights
Shemini: Bridging Passover and the Weekday
Distinctions
In contra distinction to the rest of the week, Shabbat is a holy day. Though the weekdays lead up to Shabbat and are influenced by Shabbat, they can never become holy; they are forever destined to be mundane. With one exception: The Festivals.
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Tzav: Birchat Hachamah – When the Sun Sings Again
A Unique Event
On Wednesday morning, April 8, 2009, Jews around the world recited a blessing over the sun that was last recited in twenty-eight years ago. This blessing is recited when the sun returns to its point of origin, where it was when it was first created. Though the sun …
Vayikra: Humble Gratitude
The AIG Scandal
After accepting a one-hundred-and-sixty-billion dollar bailout from the United States Government, American Insurance Group distributed more than a hundred-million dollars in bonuses and retention fees to its employees; a move that infuriated the congress and the American Public.
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Vayakhel Pekudei: Unity in giving
Greed and Generosity
In Fiddler On The Roof, a film filled with memorable moments, the scene of Perchick’s proclamation, “Money is the world’s curse” and Tevye’s defiant reply, “May the Lord smite me with it,” stands out as prominent. Indeed, money is the source of humanity’s greatest friction. Most marital disputes …
Ki Tisa: Grappling with Evil
Durban II
The United States has announced that it will not attend the United Nation’s second conference on Anti Racism dubbed Durban II. You might recall that the United States and Israel walked out of the first Anti Racism conference in 2001 when it turned into an evil hate fest of …
Tetzaveh / Zachor: Combating The Skeptic
Skepticism
A debate is currently raging in campuses across the country about binge drinking. Some believe the solution lies in stricter enforcement of existing laws against underage drinking. Others argue that enforcement will simply drive the drinkers underground. They prefer to reduce the minimum drinking age and to combat the problem …
Terumah: Charity In A Failing Economy
Trimming Excess
For most of us the failing economy has translated only into worry and rhetoric. Though unemployment is up and many homes have been lost most of us still have bread on our tables and Cable TV in our bedrooms. But there one sector that is already feeling the pinch, …
Mishpatim: The Baby’s World
Early Months
The moment my daughter emerged from the womb and took in her new surroundings was magical for us as parents. We were enamored with her and clutched her close to our hearts, but she was oblivious. She never acknowledged her parents, she simply slept. Over the last few days …
