Articles in Parsha Insights
Shemot: There is Always an Option
Only in America
High over the skies of Ohio I engaged my seat mate in discussion. His father is Protestant, his mother is Anglican and he, an earnest family man, wants to join the Anglican church. However, the only young congregation in his neighborhood with facilities for children is that of …
Vayechi: Is Judaism Dogmatic?
Fact or Myth?
Judaism encourages us to think for ourselves and to question everything. We are not meant to blindly accept, but to explore, analyze, debate and conclude. True or false?
Two Names
Joseph had two sons. He named the first one, Menashe because “Nashani Elokim,” G-d allowed me to forget my …
Vayigash: Jewish Leaders
National Pride
The Jewish nation lost its pride nearly two-thousand years ago. I’m not talking about religious pride. I’m talking about national pride.
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Miketz: From Joseph to Joseph
This essay was written shortly after Joe Lieberman was rejected by the Democratic Party and went on to win his senatorial seat in the great State of Connecticut as an independent. At that time, Lieberman held the swing vote in the Senate and because of his reputation for voting his …
Vayeshev: Miracle of Survival
Why?
We Jews have survived the longest and most turbulent exile in history. What inner strength enables our survival? Rejected by host nations, expelled from our homes and reviled by much of society, why haven’t we succumbed?
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Vayishlach: In Fear of his Brother
He was Worried
Hey, brother, can you spare a nickel? A penny or a dime? Jacob didn’t waste his time with such requests. His brother wanted to kill him and Jacob was desperate. He was afraid. He sent messengers asking, “Esau, can you spare a little love?” (1)
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Vayetze: Teffilin, The Bond of Love
Cross Roads
Just before Jacob left his father in law, Laban’s, home, he fulfilled the Mitzvah of Teffilin, phylacteries. (1)
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Chayei Sarah: The Matchmaker
A Modern Courtship
The Patriarch Isaac met the Matriarch Rebbecca through the mediation of an expert matchmaker, but matchmaking has long since gone out of vogue.
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