Are we truly equal? We all know someone smarter, wiser, more capable, industrious, resourceful, or creative, than us. We also know people less wise, capable, industrious, resourceful, or creative than us. So, are we truly equal?
The answer is yes, but not because we are all equally capable. Our skill sets …
Shmini: End of Life Care
This You Call a Dilemma?
Just the other night I found myself in discussion with a student who argued that weighing an argument from the perspective of Torah without giving equal credence to chemistry, science and nature is short sighted. I agreed with him, but insisted that considering science and chemistry …
Purim: When Hebrews Became Jews
The Jews
Today we are known as Jews, but in the Torah we were known as Hebrews and Israelites. Who are we really, Hebrews, Israelites or Jews? The more I think about it, the more I feel an identity crisis coming on.
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Vayikra: When Small Is Great
The Humble Moses
The book of Leviticus begins with the sweeping majesty of Moses’ first entry into the tabernacle. “Vayikra,” G-d called unto Moses and invited him to the Tent of Meeting. Uplifting and inspiring as the moment was, Moses, understood that small is great, received his honor in abject humility. In …
Vayakhel Pekudei: The Bottom Line
The Generous Economizer
When you see a miser spending money in generous amounts you can assume that something out of the ordinary is afoot. It might be a simcha, such as an upcoming wedding, perhaps a tragedy or an illness. Whatever it is, you would certainly assume an exception before assuming …
Vayakhel: The Jewish Woman
The Jewish Woman
Did you know that women were the first to contribute to the building of the tabernacle? Did you know that not a single woman worshiped the golden calf? Did you know that Jewish women did not believe the negative report, brought by the spies, about the land of …
Ki Tisa: Are You A Forgiver At Heart?
Petty Grudges
Are you the forgiving type? I don’t mean the type that forgives after making another grovel for it. I mean the type that forgives without even being asked. If you are, well if you are, I have no words to describe you. You are perhaps an angel or a …
Tezaveh: How To Choose A Leader
The Nature of a Leader
Why do we gravitate to the charismatic and charming when choosing our leaders? We look for a leader that can galvanize the masses, lead the government, command the military and interact with fellow Heads of State. Former President Bill Clinton is a perfect example; he has …
Terumah: How To Make A Sanctuary
Four Elements
The tabernacle Moses was commanded to erect comprised the four basic elements, inanimate, vegetative, animate and human. The floor was desert sand, representing the inanimate element. The walls were wooden, representing the vegetative element. The roof was of animal hide, representing the animate element and the people that worshiped …
Parsha Insights »
Naso: Implicit Bias
Implicit bias is the idea that we all harbor prejudices and stereotypes without our conscious knowledge. It rests on theory that since most of our actions are governed by our subconscious, implicit biases are more accurate predictors of our behavior than conscious values.
In other words, we don’t need to behave …
Yearly Cycle »
Yom Kippur: A Midrashic Account
A Stolen Gem
The Midrash relates that “when Moshe ascended to the supernal abode he heard the angels singing the words 'Baruch Shem Kevod Malchuso Leolam Vaed' and upon his descent he taught it to the Jewish people. Why does Israel not proclaim these words in public? Says, Rabbi Asi, this …
Concepts »
Vayikra: Healthy Distancing
Healthy distancing is a phrase I coined to replace the term social distancing. As I wrote last week, we are distancing for healthy purposes, not for social purposes and we must do out utmost to ensure that our healthy distancing does not result in social distancing.
Jews are careful to avoid …
Rabbi’s Desk »
What Can We Do?
These past two days have been the most difficult for our people in the last fifty years. It was Simchat Torah, a time for rejoicing, yet it was a time of horror. Nearly a thousand members of our family were brutally murdered, more than a hundred were taken hostage, and …
