2008

"The Colorful Biography of Pinchas"

Although Pinchas, the son of Elazar the priest, is widely known for his zealotry, he has an astonishing record of achievement that is not widely known. The Talmud and Midrash generously amplify on Pinchas' colorful resume.

"Deferred Punishment for the Sale of Joseph"

The rabbis attribute the martyrdom of the ten righteous Torah scholars in the time of Hadrian to the sale of Joseph. What is the connection, and why was the punishment so long in coming?

"Measure for Measure"

One of the great contributions of the Jewish people to civilization is the idea that a third innocent party may not be punished for the actions of another person. The practice of "an eye for an eye" has always been interpreted in Judaism as monetary compensation for an eye, thoroughly rejecting Lex Talionis, physical retaliation as the ancients practiced. Notwithstanding all this, our rabbis understood the G-d's heavenly justice does operate on the principle of "measure for measure." The story of Joseph in particular contains many proof texts to underscore how human beings are indeed held accountable by Heaven for their actions.

"'Fressing' While Rome Burns"

Were Joseph's brothers evil gluttons who were totally indifferent to their brother's fate, or was the Al-mighty orchestrating the events here in order to achieve a greater good?

"What's in a Name?"

First an angel informs Jacob that his name has been changed to Yisrael, then the Al-mighty Himself formally announces the name change. Why is Abraham's name change permanent, while Jacob's is not?

"Leah, the Fourth Matriarch"

Our matriarch, Leah, bears six of Jacob's twelve sons, and is nevertheless depicted as "s'nu'ah," (literally "hated"). Leah, is a complex figure who earns the title "matriarch" and in some ways, outshines her favored sister, Rachel.

"The Blessings of a Tzaddik"

Isaac wants to bless his son Esau. Rebecca feels that Jacob is more deserving of the blessing. Does a tzaddik (a righteous person) really have the power to bestow blessings on others? Don't all blessings really belong to G-d?

"Mourning and Eulogizing"

In parashat Chayei Sarah, Abraham comes to eulogize Sarah and to weep for her. What is the purpose of a eulogy? Who is it meant to honor, and what is it expected to achieve?

"Shalom Bayit, Little White Lies"

In parashat Vayeira, when Sarah learns that she is going to have a child at age 90, she laughs skeptically and says, "After I have withered shall I be fertile again, and my husband is old!" When G-d asks Abraham why Sarah has laughed, He omits Sarah's disrespectful reference to Abraham, saying instead that Sarah referred to herself about being old. Why the change?

"A Blessing on Your Head"

When he leaves his homeland and sets forth for Canaan, Abraham is promised by G-d that He will bless those who bless Abraham. This Divine promise has greatly impacted on Abraham's descendants. Blessings have played an enormously important role in many aspects of Jewish life throughout the millennium.

"Nimrod and the Financial Meltdown"

The enigmatic Biblical figure, Nimrod, who is described in the Bible as a "mighty hunter before G-d," seems to be more than just a historic personage of biblical vintage. It could very well be that Nimrod appears in all civilizations and throughout the ages as the prototype of the wily deceiver who seeks to take advantage of the weak. Nimrod, or the likes of Nimrod, may even have been involved in the recent financial meltdown that the worldwide economy is presently experiencing.

"The Development of Civilization as Recorded in Genesis"

The Torah is primarily a record of the theological developments and accomplishments of humankind. Only in an indirect manner does the Torah teach about cultural developments and the evolving skills of society. While it is related almost coincidently, the knowledge found in the Torah regarding ancient civilization is invaluable

"The Imperative of Joy"

Non-Jewish theologians often promote the misleading notion that Jewish worshipers pray while trembling in fear and mortal dread before a vengeful deity. The truth is that Jews are meant to serve G-d in joy and happiness. It is on the festival of Sukkot where joy reaches its peak. Therefore we are mandated on Sukkot to be joyful, and to reaffirm that joy is intended to be the natural state of the Jewish people.

"Difficult Transitions"

Transitions are always difficult. In parashat Vayeilech, we learn of the transfer of leadership from Moses to Joshua. In a Chassidic tale we learn about a Jewish feudal lord who had converted to Christianity, returning to the Jewish faith only moments before his death.

"Hewers of Wood and Drawers of Water"

In this parasha, which contains many cogent Rosh Hashana messages, Moses calls all the people of Israel together on the last day of his life to reaffirm the people's covenant with G-d, making a point of calling the hewers of the wood and the drawers of water. The Torah, in effect, warns us never to judge people by their professions or outward appearances. We hope that in these Days of Judgment, the Al-mighty will judge us favorably as well.

"Redeeming Captives"

One of the truly haunting verses of the Torah that we encounter in Parashat Kee Tavo is the prediction that our sons and daughters will not be ours, for they will be led into captivity. The mitzvah of "Pidyon Sh'vuyim," redemption of captives, is one of the highest mitzvot in the hierarchy of biblical commandments. Redeeming our contemporary "captives" must be the call of the hour.

"The 'Mitzvah' of Divorce"

Parashat Kee Teitzei includes the "mitzvah" to divorce one's wife. Upon further elucidation we see that this applies only when the spouses find life with each other to be incompatible. Nevertheless, Judaism believes that in order to establish a sacred and holy society, marriages must thrive in a sacred and holy environment. If not, it is a mitzvah to divorce one's spouse.

"Waste Not--Want Not"

A single isolated law prohibiting chopping down trees in times of war has evolved into a fundamental body of vital precepts, which prohibit the wanton waste and the callous destruction of property and nature.

"A Tale of Two Mountains"

In parashat Re'eh, we encounter the two mountains that surround the city of Shechem (Nablus), Gerizim and Ebal. Eventually, it was on Mount Gerizim that blessings were recited while the curses were pronounced on Mount Ebal. G-d's message, however, is communicated not only through the blessings and the curses, but through the very nature of the mountains themselves.

"Fear and Reverence of G-d "

One of the most important aspects of belief is known as "Yir'aht Shamayim," generally translated as "Fear of Heaven." While it certainly means fear of retribution and punishment, it more definitively means reverence for G-d, awe of G-d through love. This more positive definition can have a meritorious impact on those who are walking away from Judaism who, unfortunately, too often perceive G-d as vengeful and wrathful.

"A Hopeful Message for Jewish Future"

In parashat Va’etchanan, we find the well-known citation, “Kee to’leed ba’neem,” which is read on Tisha B’Av. It predicts that the Jewish people will stray from G-d and commit horrible sins. And yet, in one of the most optimistic statements, G-d assures His people that they will always be welcomed back with open arms, no matter how far they stray.

"Establishing the Rightful Owners of the Land"

In parashat Devarim, the Torah goes into excruciating and puzzling detail concerning the nations who dwelt in the Land of Canaan. All this is done in order to emphasize the constant change of kingdoms and nations, underscoring that there never was one permanent owner to the land. It is undisputedly "G-d's land" to apportion according to His will--to the People of Israel.

"Optimism: The Call of the Hour"

From slight nuances in the textual structure, we learn that the priorities of the people were different from the priorities of Moses. Our rabbis teach that Moses possessed a sense of optimism that was lacking in the people of Israel.

"Striving for Refined Speech"

In this week's parasha, parashat Matot, we learn of the injunction against profane speech. It is from here that we learn not only to avoid negative speech, but to always strive to make our speech as refined as possible.

"The Zealotry of Pinchas as seen through the Midrash"

The vast majority of the people of Israel rejected Pinchas for his act of zealotry when he stabbed Zimri and Cozbi as they performed an act of public harlotry. Pinchas' life of hardship is revealed to us through the extensive Midrash cited by the great scholar Eliyahu Kitov.

"The 'Mazal Tov' Conundrum"

Balaam, the prophet of the nations, states clearly that there is no divination in Jacob and no sorcery in Israel. Yet, we often find references to sorcery and astrology in many mainstream Jewish texts. Given Judaism's strong stand against sorcery, how can the popular expression "Mazal Tov!" possibly be reconciled?

"The Death of Aaron"

Why was Aaron mourned by all the people of Israel while Moses was not? The Midrash suggests that Aaron had a very special relationship with all the people because of his great commitment to love and pursuit of peace. It was Aaron's obsession with peace that brought enemies together and turned them into friends. He was an extraordinary promoter of marital harmony between husbands and wives and was able to turn the wicked into penitents. This resulted in a powerful and abiding love that the people felt for Aaron.

"Datan and Abiram: The Protagonists"

Datan and Abiram, two members of the tribe of Reuben, are caught up in the rebellion of Korach and are swallowed along with Korach when the earth opens. The Midrash sees Datan and Abiram as the paradigm of effrontery, rebellion, and brazenness, the ultimate ingrates who devote their lives to undermining Moses and the authority of G-d.

"We Were like Grasshoppers in Our Eyes"

There is grave danger in the Jewish people seeing themselves as helpless and powerless. Very often this self-perception is a self-fulfilling reality. The ancient scouts saw themselves as pygmies and grasshoppers and were perceived by others as impotent and weak. We dare not allow that to happen to our generation. Strong leadership depends upon our faith in G-d and own self-confidence and self-esteem.

"The Gift of Spiritual Potential"

Perhaps greater than Moses' natural leadership abilities, his great brilliance and scholarship and teaching capabilities, and his extraordinary humility, was his unremitting and unconditional love for the Jewish people who tested him and rejected him so many times.