When G-d disciplines us, the pain is real—but it is born of love. When He gives freely, we feel His kindness. When He withholds or corrects, His love is less visible—but in truth, it runs even deeper.
Read the full story »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 …
New Year Greeting 5772: New Resolutions
The High Holiday liturgy often makes use of our Biblically prescribed designation as G-d’s children. We remind G-d of the natural love that fathers have for children and beg Him to see us in that light even if our behavior doesn’t reflect the love we have for Him.
In light of …
Rosh Hashanah: Making A Tzimmes of Tzimmes
Head or Hair?
Rosh Hashanah is not just the first day of the year, it is the head of the year. A head serves two purposes: It is a platform for hair, as in a beautiful head of hair, and a housing apparatus for the brain.
The head is the seat of …
Nitzavim Vayelech: The Key is Education
Returning The Keys
When the marauding Babylonian army broke into the Temple they found priests going about their sacred duties in ecclesiastic devotion. Some prepared meal offerings, others stoked the altar’s flames, yet others inspected logs to ensure their perfection. Outside the battle raged, but inside, the worship continued without distraction.
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Ki Tavo: How To Grow A Relationship
An Odd Verse
Many verses in the Torah are difficult to translate, but this one is a real mystery.
“You spoke G-d this day, to be your lord… And G-d spoke you this day to be His people.” (1)
Can you make sense of this verse? If you’re struggling with it you’re …
Parsha Insights »
Tzav: Listening with Empathy
Proper Attire
“He shall remove his garments and don other garments and he shall then take the ashes to a pure place, outside of the camp.” (Our Parsha 6,4) Since the removal of ash will likely soil his vestments the Torah recommends that he change his clothing for this particular task. …
Yearly Cycle »
A Matzah That Flips The Script
Just when you thought misery was bad, the Matzah teaches it can be a source of light.
Concepts »
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 …
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 …
