G-d created the world through speech, and the words with which He created us are very much like flames. “Behold, my words are like flames” (Jeremiah 23:29). Flames don’t burn unless they have fuel to consume. The same is true of G-d’s words. “For G-d your G-d is a consuming …
Read the full story »Vaysihlach: Rewrite Your Script
Where Do You Fish?
Are you plagued by internal scripts that are injurious to your well-being? Many of us suffer from scripts that hurt us, but from which we powerless to depart. It can be a parent or sibling whom we really love or a colleague or employer whose company we …
Vayetze: Talking the Talk and Walking the Walk
Is Talking Enough?
We live in a world of action. If you want something to be real, you can’t just talk about it, you have to do something about it. Talking about love is not enough. Even if you truly love your words aren’t real until you do something to show …
Toldot: A Mother’s Love Never Expires
Determined Courage
Sarah and Rebecca, mothers of our people, went to great lengths to protect their children. Sarah drove Ishmael from her home when she perceived a danger to her son Isaac and Rebecca clandestinely conspired against her son, Esau, to ensure that her younger son, Jacob, received his father’s blessing. …
Chayei Sarah: Man and Woman
Who Does the Chasing?
Mazal Tov, they’re engaged, soon to be married. When is the wedding? The date hasn’t been set yet; the invitations aren’t even printed. And how did they meet? Actually, he caught a glimpse of her one day and from that very first moment he knew she was …
Vayera: When Weakness Becomes Obsession
Abraham and the Philistines
When Abraham and Sarah visited the Philistines they neglected to mention that they were married. Abimelech, the Philistine king, soon requisition Sarah for his harem, but G-d appeared in Abimelech’s dream to warn him that Sarah was a married woman.
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Lech Lecha: In the Clouds or on the Ground
Two Paradigms
Who is truly the person of G-d? Is it the venerable sage who sits alone,head in the clouds, nose buried in ancient tomes or the fellow on the streets, who guides the perplexed and mentors seeking souls? Is it the scholar, whose mind is immersed in ancient wisdoms or …
Noach: Selfish as a Raven
Is it Craven?
In contrast to Edgar Allen Poe, who suggested in his famous poem, The Raven, that though its crest is shorn and shaven, the raven isn’t craven, the Talmudic sages were not so kindly disposed.
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Sukkot: No Strangers In the Sukkah
Sharing Humanity
Have you ever experienced a bond of common humanity with a perfect stranger? One moment you were a stranger the next moment you were one, caring as much about what happened to him as to yourself. Under ordinary circumstances this common bond doesn’t surface, but under extreme circumstances it …
Parsha Insights »
Ki Tavo: Making it Relevant
Returning to Earth
Does a falling tree produce a sound if no one is around to hear it? Jewish philosophers never respond to such questions with a simple yes or no. Instead we reply, in perfect Talmudic cadence, if a tree falls and no one is around to hear it, does …
Yearly Cycle »
Vaeirah: Hiding behind Apathy
Pharaoh and the Frog
In discussing the second of the Ten Plagues the Midrash mentions that every creature plays a role in G-d’s master plan. If not for the frog, says the Midrash, how would the Almighty take retribution against Pharaoh?
Why does the Midrash single out the frog when there were …
Concepts »
Chukat: Love Your Children
What Actually Happened?
Something happened on that fateful day that resulted in the severe decree barring Moses and Aaron from entering the promised land. Here is the story in short: The people were parched from their long journey and demanded that Moses provide water. G-d instructed Moses to produce water from …
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 …
