2024

“The Torah’s Revolutionary Economic System”
(updated and revised from Behar 5765-2005)

Parashat Behar often gets lost in the shuffle following Passover and before the summer, and yet contains many revolutionary concepts, challenging the prevailing ideas of both capitalism and socialism. The Torah provides its own modified economic system that attempts to insure the humanity of all people in all situations.

“The Counting of the Omer and the Celebration of Israel’s Independence”
(updated and revised from Emor 5763-2003)

The counting of the Omer underscores the ultimate purpose of the Exodus from Egypt—the anticipation and excitement of receiving the Torah! Therefore, the period from the second day of Passover until the sixth day of Sivan, when the festival of Shavuot is celebrated, is counted with great enthusiasm. Counting the Omer is always done in ascending numerical order rather than descending order, underscoring its positive, joyous and optimistic nature--celebrating the victory of light over darkness, morality over immorality and love over hate.

“Living a Truly Sanctified Life”
(updated and revised from Kedoshim 5765-2005)

The revolutionary concept of living a sanctified life might seem daunting, but in reality, it is a goal to be aspired to by every Jew. The exalted concept of being G-d-like is not out of the realm of human possibility.

“The Unfathomable Practice of Molech Worship”
(updated and revised from Acharei Mot 5771-2011)

After presenting an extensive list of prohibited marital and family relationships, the Torah, in parashat Acharei Mot, concludes with specific prohibitions against Molech worship, sodomy and bestiality. What was Molech? How was it practiced? Did Jews actually engage in this horrendous form of idolatry?

Passover 5784-2024
“In Every Generation”
(updated and revised from Passover 5765-2005)

The story of the Exodus and the celebration of the Passover recall the physical salvation of the Jews from the slavery of Egypt at the hand of Pharaoh. But more than the physical suffering of the Jews throughout the ages, the spiritual losses have taken an even greater toll on the Jewish people. Although we are justly focused at this time on the physical security of the State of Israel, the festival of Passover is an important opportunity for Jews the world over, who are now rapidly assimilating, to experience a true spiritual redemption during this Festival of Redemption.

"And You Think that Tzara'at is Weird?"
(updated and revised from Metzorah 5765-2005)

The ancient Biblical claims that a person could contract a dermatological disease by speaking l’shon hara (evil), strains our rational credibility. And, yet, every day scientific knowledge uncovers new, incredible discoveries that seem to be as absurd as the Biblical disease Tzara’at. Yet, many of these scientific discoveries are valid. In fact, we could not conduct our lives without utilizing these new scientific powers and discoveries. So, let us not be so quick to dismiss the Biblical disease, Tzara’at. In light of what we’ve already discovered scientifically, Tzara‘at may not at all be in the realm of impossibility.

“Some Important Lessons to Learn from the Ancient Biblical Malady, Tzara’at”
(updated and revised from Tazria 5765-2005

The laws of the Biblical disease, Tzara’at, are complex, and on the surface, seem rather primitive. By examining the nuances of the text in parashat Tazria we may learn many profound lessons about judging others favorably, healing ourselves and coming closer to G-d.

“Those Remarkable Dietary Laws”
(updated and revised from Shemini 5766-2006)

Kashruth in the 21st century is far more than a religious ritual. It is a profound bond that unites Jew to Jew, a most meaningful tether that secures an individual to a nation, the sacred energy that connects a people and a nation to its very essence.

“Do Sacrifices Have Any Relevance for Us Today?”
(updated and revised from Tzav 5765-2005)

Our rabbis ask if the ancient sacrificial rituals have any relevance for us today. They respond by saying that both prayer and Torah study are meaningful contemporary substitutes for sacrifices, especially if we pray and study with full-hearted enthusiasm and proper awareness. If we do so, it is considered as if we have rebuilt the Temple and restored the altar to its ancient place of glory.

“Building an Everlasting Sanctuary”
(updated and revised from Pekudei 5768-2008)

The Tabernacle had been completed by Kislev. However, it was not erected for another three months, on Rosh Chodesh Nissan. The purpose of the delay was to enable the spirit of our Patriarch Isaac to pervade the Tabernacle. Although the workers and the architects attempted to raise the Tabernacle, only Moses could do so. He blesses the people in a way that emphasizes that the security of the Tabernacle really depends on the sanctity of the people.

“Bezalel's Artistic Legacy”
(updated and revised from Vayakhel 5765-2005)

Throughout the ages, Judaism has struggled with its mixed attitude toward art and sculpture. One of the few unconditionally positive statements about art is the Torah's
description in parashat Vayakhel of Bezalel’s, the Tabernacle’s master craftsman, many talents. Aside from his prodigious skills, Bezalel was also a master teacher of art, and it is not unlikely that, because of his artistry and singular devotion, we today enjoy the aesthetic gifts that have been passed down through him from generation to generation.

“Shabbat as a Priority in Jewish Life”
(updated and revised from Kee Tisah 5765-2005)

In the middle of the Torah portions that deals with building the Tabernacle and the sin of the Golden Calf, the Torah, unexpectedly, reaffirms the sanctity of the Sabbath day. From this, our rabbis deduce that Shabbat is a foremost priority that supersedes even the building of the Tabernacle, the Mishkan. This same overriding principle profoundly impacts on Jewish life in contemporary times.

“A Flame in Every Jewish Heart"
(updated and revised from Tetzaveh 5765-2005)

The "light" of the Menorah has multiple meanings. Our commentators teach us that every Jew must light a Ner Tamid, an eternal lamp, in his/her own heart, not only in the Tabernacle or the tent, but in the street, the marketplace and at the baseball game. Committed Jews must see themselves as "ambassadors" for Jewish life in order to stem the tide of assimilation and to win back the masses who have already walked away from Jewish life.

“Make for Me a Sanctuary, and I Shall Dwell in Their Midst”
(updated and revised from Terumah 5766-2006)

The syntax of the verse "and they shall make for Me a sanctuary, and I shall dwell among them," is rather odd. The purpose of this strangely constructed verse is to teach that G-d does not dwell in a sanctuary, but rather among the people of Israel. The questions remain: How are Jews to develop true passion in their relationship with G-d? How are we to light the fire that will ignite our hearts and souls in our worship of the Al-mighty G-d?

“The Conundrum of Charity--Who Benefits More?”
(updated and revised from Mishpatim 5765-2005)

The Torah teaches that a person who steals an ox or a sheep and then slaughters or sells the stolen animal, must pay the value of five oxen in place of the ox, and four sheep in place of the sheep. Why is there such a stiff penalty for stealing these particular animals, and why is there a greater penalty for the theft of an ox as opposed to a sheep?

“Jethro’s Advice to an Overburdened Leader”
(updated and revised from Yitro 5765-2005)

Jethro warns his son-in-law, Moses, that he is in danger of experiencing burn out by biting off more than he can chew. It takes a great man like Moses to heed Jethro's difficult advice and share the leadership responsibilities with others. The well-being of the People of Israel was always Moses's utmost concern. Hence, his decision to delegate authority resulted in great benefit for the People of Israel.

“Vah’chah’moo’shim--A Call to Arms?”
(updated and revised from B’shalach 5765-2005)

In parashat B'shalach the Torah informs us that the Israelites went out of Egypt, "chah'moo'shim," usually translated as "armed." "chah'moo'shim," however is a word that has many interpretations and many deep and subtle meanings that teach us that much more than physical/military defense is needed to protect the Jewish people.

“The More Things Change...”
(updated and revised from Bo 5764-2004)

In the last moments of their ‘sojourn” in the Egypt where they were held them in bondage for hundreds of years, the Israelites are told to gather gold and silver from their former Egyptian masters. To the casual observer it appears that the Jews are vengefully looting Egypt. Perhaps, though, the fulfillment of this command represents the mental journey that the Jews must travel from slavery to freedom, or compensation for the years of slavery and the property they had to leave in Egypt.

“The Names of G-d and their Meanings”
(updated and revised from Va’eira 5764-2004)

The names of G-d are many, each revealing to the world a different aspect of the Creator. In this parasha, the universe's understanding of G-d is heightened by Moses to a level never before conceived, even by the patriarchs. After Moses, the world's notion of G-d is never to be the same.

“The Message of the Burning Bush”
(updated and revised from Shemot 5764-2004)

Why does G-d choose to reveal Himself to the world's greatest prophet from the midst of a burning bush? What lessons reside in the endowments of a small thornbush that are reflected in the manifestation of the Divine presence? It is a message of humility on G-d's part, and a means of elevating all His people.