Weekly Message

"Capital Punishment: Revenge or Restitution?"

In parashat Mishpatim, the Torah introduces the concept of capital punishment. Is the execution of a murderer an act of vengeance, or is it intended to serve as restitution for the loss of human life?

"Who is the Real Jethro?"

The Torah portrays Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, as a man of great distinction. No other personage of non-Jewish origin is accorded as much honor. Yet, the Midrash offers several ambivalent portraits of the man.

"Pharaoh's Ultimate Fate"

In Exodus 15, after the splitting of the sea, Moses leads the People of Israel in triumphant song, and Miriam leads the women of Israel in a song of victory. That is the last that we hear of Pharaoh, or is it?

"The Plague of Darkness"

The ninth plague of darkness precedes the most intense and final plague, death of the first born. What exactly occurred during this plague and what role was it meant to play in preparation for the Exodus?

“The Decline and Collapse of the Egyptian Magicians”

The Bible reports that the Egyptian magicians encourage Pharaoh’s resistance by replicating several of the Ten Plagues. Soon, however, we learn of the precipitous decline and collapse of the Egyptian magicians.

“A Truly Moral Man Goes Out To His Brethren”

Although Jews may prefer to regard Moses exclusively as the leader of the Jewish people, Moses clearly emerges as the shepherd of all humankind.

"The Scepter Shall Not Depart from Judah"

The commentators are divided over whether Jacob’s statement, that the scepter shall not depart from Judah, was intended as a decree or as a promise.

"Joseph and Judah: A Confrontation for Posterity"

The confrontation between Judah and Joseph was not only intended to achieve the release of Benjamin, but was a struggle for the leadership of Israel between two larger-than-life brothers.

"Joseph Takes His Brother Simeon Hostage"

Joseph’s decision to take Simeon hostage was not at all coincidental. Why was Simeon singled out from among all Joseph’s brethren? When analyzing this episode in depth, the commentators reveal that many subliminal issues were in play.

“Interpreting the Dreams of Others”

In Canaan, Joseph dreamed about himself and his family. Now, a prisoner in Egypt, others were the dreamers, and Joseph becomes the interpreter of their dreams.

“Jacob Lines Up His Family for the Encounter With Esau”

In parashat Vayishlach, in anticipation of his dreaded encounter with his brother Esau, Jacob strategically lines up his family to assure their safety. It seems as if Jacob is prepared to sacrifice the handmaidens and their children in order for the children of Rachel and Leah to be spared. Could this possibly be true?

“In Haran--A Kiss is Still a Kiss”

When Jacob arrives in Haran, he meets his beautiful cousin, Rachel, at the well. Not long after, Scripture reports that Jacob kissed Rachel, and wept. Jacob’s bold action launched a millennia-long controversy about the propriety of male-female contact in Judaism.

“Isaac Blesses His Sons”

Professor Menashe Duvshani was for many years the premier Bible educator for Israeli high school students. He offers a unique view on the story of Isaac blessing his sons.

“The Mystery of Machpelah”

Why was Abraham so singularly determined to bury Sarah in the cave of Machpelah? Apparently, the cave had a very special meaning to him. As a result of Abraham’s actions, Machpelah was to develop into a most revered location for all Jews throughout the ages.

“Were Lot’s Daughters Moral or Immoral?”

After the destruction of Sodom, Lot’s daughters, thinking that the whole world had been destroyed, ply their father with wine and bear children with him. The commentators struggle with their actions.

“The Two Covenants”

In this week’s parasha, we learn of two covenants, the Covenant between the Pieces and the Covenant of Circumcision. What is the relationship between these two covenants?

“Who is Canaan and Why is He Cursed?”

Who was Canaan and why was he so profoundly cursed by his grandfather Noah?

“The Fall of Man”

What really happened in the Garden of Eden between Adam, Eve and the serpent?

“The Meaning of Sukkot: Insights of Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch”

Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch (1808-1888), the great leader of German Jewry, uncovers extraordinary insights in the mitzvah of Sukkah. Among other insights, Rabbi Hirsch boldly proclaims that the message of Sukkah is to go into the Sukkah with G-d and have ultimate faith in Him, Who sustains everyone in the wilderness and in their homes.

"The Magic of the Day of Atonement"

Yom Kippur, the most awesome day in the Jewish calendar, is also the most magical. Despite our trespasses, G-d guarantees His children forgiveness and redemption.

“The Dialectic of Joy and Fear”

There is an inherent inconsistency with respect to the nature of the High Holidays. The fear as well as the joy that play prominent roles on these holy days appear to be in conflict.

"Renewing the Covenant"

How could Moses have made a covenant with future generations who were unable to agree or disagree with the covenant, or to accept or refuse to be a part of the agreement?

“The Challenge of Bountifulness”

Before threatening the people of Israel with the dire consequences of sin, G-d always blesses them with blessings that will accrue to the nation for faithfully fulfilling His commandments. Is the blessing of abundance truly a blessing, or is intended to be a challenge?

"Sending the Mother Bird Away"

The Biblical commentators engage in a rigorous debate regarding the rationale behind the mitzvah of "Sheeluach Ha’Kayn"–sending the mother bird away from the nest when taking the chicks or the eggs. Most agree that is has to do with mercy, but not all agree that it is G-d’s mercy. They also differ over what is meant to be the ultimate purpose of this mitzvah.

"Jewish Justice & Jewish Leadership"

So much emphasis has been placed on fighting for social justice that articles regularly appear appealing to Jewish leadership to tone down the emphasis on "Tikkun Olam," a phrase that comes from the Aleinu prayer and calls on Jews to "repair the world under the reign of the Al-mighty."

“Listening to the Message”

How does one remain moral in an increasingly immoral environment? Ethical and moral behavior doesn't simply develop through osmosis or from preaching. Judaism maintains that living a religiously observant life results in the ability to hear G-d’s voice among the conflicting messages competing for one’s attention in a noisy world.

"Finding the Greatness of G-d in His Humility"

How do mere mortals dare pray to the All-Powerful G-d? Because there is incontrovertible evidence that our omnipotent G-d cares about the weak and the downtrodden. This knowledge serves as our license to pray, to ask that the coming days, weeks and years be times of blessing and beneficence.

"The Ten Commandments: The Differences"

The fact that there are two versions of the Ten Commandments in the Torah with slight differences in the texts raises significant questions. These questions are confronted head-on by the incredibly intellectually honest approach of Jewish scholarship. This educational legacy of Judaism, which encourages students to constantly search for truth, has shaped young Jewish minds for millennia, resulting in unparalleled intellectual achievements.

“The Responsibility not to be Misled”

When recounting the story of the Scouts in the Book of Deuteronomy, Moses omits many details of the original story, while other seemingly less pertinent facts are emphasized. There is a profound lesson that is taught by these unexpected changes about the individual’s responsibility not to be misled.

“The Never-Ending Journey of the Jewish People”

It is important to carefully consider and review the ancient journeys of our people and learn from them, both the successes and the failures, as we travel on our own personal journeys to our own longed-for destinations.