Vayikra 5779-2019
"Thanking G-d for the Good”
(Revised and updated from Vayikra 5760-2000)
For mortals, it’s not easy to maintain a sense of gratitude for the constant miracles that are part of our everyday existence. The Sh’lamim, the Peace Offering, enables us to express our gratitude to G-d at all times, and not to just cry out and denounce G-d when things are wrong or uncomfortable. It’s easy to complain about the bad; it’s far more difficult to say “Thank You” for the good.
0 Comments12 Minutes
Pekudei 5779-2019
"Honesty and Integrity in Public Life”
(Revised and updated from Pekudei 5760-2000)
In parashat Pekudai, the Torah portion provides an exact accounting of the amount of gold, silver, and copper that was contributed to the construction of the Tabernacle. Honesty and integrity play a major role in the Jewish religion. Especially leaders, who are meant to serve as role models for the rest of the community, are expected to live up to the highest standards of probity.
0 Comments9 Minutes
Vayakhel 5779-2019
"Jewish Women and Jewish Destiny"
(Revised and updated from Vayakhel 5760-2000)
We are told in parashat Vayakhel that the Jewish women responded immediately to the appeals that were made by Moses for gold for building the Tabernacle, swiftly removing their precious jewelry and rushing them to the Tabernacle. This was only one of the many heroic actions that the women of Israel performed. The key role that the women of Israel played in the redemption of the people of Israel is confirmed by the remarkable rabbinic statement asserting that “only in the merit of the righteous women, were our ancestors redeemed from Egypt.” It is quite likely that this is true, not only of the generation of Egypt, but for all subsequent generations as well.
0 Comments16 Minutes
Kee Tisah 5779-2019
“The ‘Vengeful’ G-d”
(Revised and updated from Kee Tisah 5760-2000)
The last of the so-called “13 Attributes of G-d’s Mercy” is that G-d does not entirely cleanse sinners, and that He may be vengeful. If we are expected to imitate G-d, then perhaps we too should be vengeful?
0 Comments12 Minutes
Tetzaveh 5779-2019
“Clothes: A Reflection of the Divine Image”
(Revised and updated from Tetzaveh 5760-2000)
Clothes play an important role in Judaism and in Jewish tradition. After all, the Al-mighty was the “First Designer” of clothes for Adam and Eve. The clothes that the priests wore, not only invested them with sanctity, but also represented the values that the priests were trying to communicate to the people.
0 Comments10 Minutes
Terumah 5779-2019
“The Mishkan: Underscoring the Centrality of the Home in Jewish Life”
The Mishkan–the Tabernacle–is very much like a home, and has all the furnishings that are found in a home. The fact that our synagogue is called a Beit Kinesset, a house of coming together, underscores the importance of the home. Unless our homes serve as dwelling places for G-d, there will be little chance that our religion will be effectively communicated in our synagogues or in our temples.
0 Comments14 Minutes
Mishpatim 5779-2019
“From Seemingly Obscure Laws, the Torah Teaches the Ultimate Value of the Sanctity of Human Life”
(Revised and updated from Mishpatim 5760-2000)
According to Jewish tradition, all song emanates from the purity and devotion of the song that the People of Israel sang over three thousand years ago at the crossing of the Red Sea.
0 Comments10 Minutes
Yitro 5779-2019
“An Encounter with Jethro and the Non-Jewish World”
(Revised and updated from Yitro 5760-2000)
3,300 years ago, when xenophobia reigned supreme throughout the ancient world, the Torah admonished Jews not to reject sage advice simply because it emanates from a non-Jewish source. In fact, Jews are encouraged to look for good, healthy and valid ideas anywhere in the world, Jewish and secular, and embrace those ideas with open arms.
0 Comments11 Minutes
B’shalach 5779-2019
“The שִׁירָה --Shira: The Source of All Song”
(Revised and updated from B'shalach 5760-2000)
According to Jewish tradition, all song emanates from the purity and devotion of the song that the People of Israel sang over three thousand years ago at the crossing of the Red Sea.
0 Comments9 Minutes
Bo 5779-2019
"Nothing Stands in the Way of Teshuva!"
Nothing stands in the way of Teshuva. Even wicked Pharaoh can repent.
0 Comments9 Minutes
Va’eira 5779-2018
"The Cups of Redemption"
Rabbi Asher Weiss maintains that there are four levels of slavery that parallel the four languages of liberation found in parashat Va’eira, and are represented by the four cups of wine that we drink at the Passover Seder.
0 Comments8 Minutes
Shemot 5779-2018
“Getting the Jews Out of Egypt-–Two Views”
Rabbi Ben-Zion Firer argues that Moses and G-d had different approaches regarding the process of the redemption of the Jewish people from Egypt.
0 Comments9 Minutes
Vayechi 5779-2018
“Jacob Blesses His Grandchildren”
What were the special characteristics of Ephraim and Menashe that earned them the honor of serving as paradigms in the parents' Shabbat blessings for their male children throughout Jewish history?
0 Comments6 Minutes
Vayigash 5779-2018
“The Innocent Victim”
When Joseph asked, "Is my father still alive?" he was asking his brothers how could they have been so unconcerned for the feelings of their poor father Jacob, who for 22 years, was inconsolable over the loss of Joseph.
0 Comments8 Minutes
Mikeitz 5779-2018
"Why Did You Treat Me So Badly"
There was but a single instance in Jacob’s life where he complained to G-d about being treated badly. Jacob’s faithful attitude teaches the importance of having faith in G-d at all times, and that even in times of darkness, we must look forward to the dawning of a beautiful sun-filled tomorrow.
0 Comments9 Minutes
Vayeishev 5779-2018
“The Mystical Aspects of the Sale of Joseph”
The sale of Joseph by his brothers certainly impacted on the course of Jewish history. The story behind the sale is especially fascinating in its consequences.
0 Comments9 Minutes
Vayishlach 5779-2018
“Jacob’s Challenging Life”
Our Patriarch Jacob, lived a life of many challenges. Yet, he never gave up hope and never became bitter. There is much to learn from father Jacob about facing and living with overwhelming adversity.
0 Comments8 Minutes
Vayeitzei 5779-2018
“The Deceivers are Deceived”
Jacob, the deceiver of Esau, is himself deceived by Laban. Torah law insists that employer-employee relationships must be based on truth and honesty.
0 Comments9 Minutes
Toledot 5779-2018
“The Dangers of Assimilation”
When peace was made between him and the king of Gerar, Isaac realized that it was time to move away, to distance himself so that he could maintain his strong Jewish identity and live a full Jewish life with intensity and passion. Contemporary Jews, may need to do the same to ensure their own continuity.
0 Comments8 Minutes
Chayei Sarah 5779-2018
“Abraham’s Eulogy for His Beloved Sarah”
While others, who spoke at Sarah’s funeral, emphasized how Sarah was a true help-meet to Abraham, Abraham himself spoke of his wife as a spiritual giant herself.
0 Comments11 Minutes
Vayeira 5779-2018
“The Tension Between Human Love and Divine Will”
In a clash between human love and Divine will, Divine will must always prevail.
0 Comments6 Minutes
Lech Lecha 5779-2018
“Why Did G-d Choose Abraham?”
As opposed to other great, righteous people and leaders, the Torah does not specify why Abram was chosen by G-d.
0 Comments7 Minutes
Noah 5779-2018
“Noah’s Birds– The Raven and the Dove”
Noah dispatches two birds from the Ark--a raven and a dove. There are significant differences between how Noah relates to, and treats, these two birds.
0 Comments8 Minutes
Bereshith 5779-2018
“Who was Enoch?”
Who was Enoch, and why did he die young? What was Enoch’s role in the primordial world?
0 Comments8 Minutes
Haazinu-Sukkot 5779-2018
“The Challenges of Poverty and Wealth”
The confluent messages of parashat Haazinu and the festival of Sukkot both stress the Jews’ dependence upon the blessings of the Al-mighty.
0 Comments8 Minutes
Vayeilech-Yom Kippur 5779-2018
“And Moses Went...”
When Moses went to the Jewish people on the final day of his life, he gave them a most profound spiritual gift.
0 Comments9 Minutes
Nitzavim-Rosh Hashana 5779-2018
“Whatever Became of Sin?”
Parashat Nitzavim has been called “one of the greatest expositions on repentance in the Torah.” How appropriate it is to read these deeply inspiring words during the High Holy Day season.
0 Comments8 Minutes
Kee Tavo 5778-2018
“A Wandering Aramean?”
In the beautiful declaration that plays a prominent role in the Bikkurim ceremony, there is an ambiguous reference to “a Wandering Aramean.”
0 Comments9 Minutes
Shoftim 5778-2018
"Identifying the True Prophet"
Can true prophets be identified? If so, how? Are there prophets in our midst today?
0 Comments6 Minutes