Bereshith 5785-2024
“P’roo ur’voo,--Jewish Attitudes Toward Procreation”
(updated and revised from Bereshith-Simchat Torah 5765-2004)
As we once again begin the Book of Genesis, we learn about the central mitzvah of procreation, "p’roo ur’voo," (Genesis 1:28). Judaism diverges from much of Christianity in its forthright and positive attitude towards sexuality. Not only is bearing children a mitzvah in Judaism, but even pleasure in sexuality is a mitzvah. Furthermore, even those who are not blessed with children can bear spiritual fruit, by becoming teachers of Torah or by supporting the study of Torah.
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Re’eh 5784-2024
“Adding or Subtracting”
(updated and revised from Re’eh 5766-2006)
In parashat Re'eh, we learn of the prohibition of adding or subtracting from the Torah. Any attempt to manipulate the Biblical text would imply that the Commandments are imperfect or irrelevant. And yet, rabbis throughout the ages, built fences around the mitzvot and added festivals and observances. How could that be justified?
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Bereshith 5784-2023
“’Naked’ Means More than Naked”
(updated and revised from Bereshith 5765-2004)
One of the most joyous days of the Jewish calendar, Simchat Torah, as it is celebrated today, is a relatively new holiday that became popular in the Middle Ages, around the 14th century. The customs and rituals of this holiday have interesting origins, and, in fact, seem to still be evolving and developing in contemporary times.
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Devarim 5780-2020
“Eichah, The Annual Search for Meaning and Introspection”
(updated and revised from Parashat Devarim 5761-2001)
In order for the Fast of the 9th of Av to be meaningful, it is necessary to focus on the fast’s proper message. Eichah and Ah’yeka are two of the prominent themes of Tisha b’Av. G-d asks the Jews: “Where are you? What have you done with your lives? How could this tragedy have possibly happened?” We, of course, need to ask, how can we improve ourselves?
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Bereshith 5780-2019
How to Achieve Immortality the G-dly Way
(Revised and updated from Bereshith 5760-1999)
The Biblical story of the Garden of Eden teaches that two of the greatest human aspirations are the desire for omniscience and the desire for immortality. Both of these aspirations are symbolically represented by the Tree of Knowledge and the Tree of Life. However, immortality cannot be achieved through immorality. Fortunately, we can regain entry into the Garden of Eden by following G-d’s instruction. The story of the Garden of Eden may appear to be simplistic, but it is actually one of the most important lessons for all humankind.
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Bereshith 5779-2018
“Who was Enoch?”
Who was Enoch, and why did he die young? What was Enoch’s role in the primordial world?
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Chayei Sarah 5778-2017
“Who is Eliezer the Damascan?”
Eliezer, the Damascan slave of Abraham, plays a key role in determining the destiny of Abraham’s progeny. His actions resonate to this very day.
0 Comments9 Minutes
Bereshith 5778-2017
“The Torah Promotes the Work Ethic”
The work ethic and our willingness to invest sincere effort into the principles we cherish is communicated to humanity in the very first parasha of the Torah. Rewards in this world are only as great as the effort we invest.
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Chukat 5776-2016
“The Bronze Serpent"
The Biblical serpent has a long and complex history and relationship with the People of Israel. The Bronze serpent represents an important change in the serpent’s role.
0 Comments9 Minutes
Re’eh 5766-2006
"Adding or Subtracting"
In parashat Re'eh, we learn of the prohibition of adding or subtracting from the Torah. Any attempt to manipulate the Biblical text would imply that the Commandments are imperfect or irrelevant. And yet, rabbis throughout the ages built fences around the mitzvot and added festivals and observances. How can that be justified?
0 Comments8 Minutes
Bereshith 5765-2004
"'Naked' Means More than Naked"
It is no accident that the Torah states that Adam and Eve were both "ah'roo'mim"-- naked, in the Garden of Eden and that the serpent was "ah'room"-- naked and cunning. Not only was defying G-d by eating the forbidden fruit a loss of innocence for humankind, it also represented the failure of the human being to abide by the only mitzvah that they had been given. And now they were naked. To heal this shortcoming, the human beings are charged to clothe themselves in righteousness, and attire themselves in the words and the spirit of Torah.
0 Comments10 Minutes
Devarim-Tisha B’Av 5761-2001
"Eichah, The Annual Search for Meaning and Introspection"
In order for the Fast of the 9th of Av to be meaningful, it is necessary for us to focus on the proper message. Eichah and Ah'yeka are two of the prominent themes of Tisha Ba'Av. G-d asks the Jews: Where are you? What have you done with your lives? How can this tragedy have possibly happened? How can we improve ourselves?
0 Comments6 Minutes
Bereshith 5761-2000
"How to Achieve Immortality the G-dly Way"
The two greatest aspirations of humankind are the desire for omniscience and the desire for immortality. Both of these aspirations are symbolically represented by the Tree of Knowledge and the Tree of Life. However, immortality cannot be achieved through immorality. Fortunately, we can regain entry into the Garden of Eden by following G-d's instruction. The story of the Garden of Eden may appear to be simplistic, but it is actually one of the greatest lessons for all humankind.
0 Comments7 Minutes
Bereshith 5760-1999
"How to Achieve Immortality the G-dly Way"
The two greatest aspirations of humankind are the desire for omniscience and the desire for immortality. Both of these aspirations are symbolically represented by the Tree of Knowledge and the Tree of Life. However, immortality cannot be achieved through immorality. Fortunately, we can regain entry into the Garden of Eden by following G-d's instruction. The story of the Garden of Eden may appear to be simplistic, but it is actually one of the greatest lessons for all humankind.
0 Comments7 Minutes