Judaism

“Why G-d Can Not Share the Limelight.”
(updated and revised from Yitro 5764-2004)

G-d chose to speak directly to the People of Israel when He pronounced the first two statements of the Ten Commandments. These two directives set a path of exclusive monotheistic worship for the Jewish people. These words also established a foundation of moral absolutes in the world, as well as a demand for the practice of ethical behavior expected of all humanity, who are created in G-d's image.

“The Malbim Teaches the Lessons of the Manna”
(updated and revised from B’shalach 5764-2004)

From the life of the Malbim, the great 19th century Torah commentator, as well as from his brilliant and intricate explication of the "manna," the heavenly bread, that the Jewish people were given to eat in the wilderness, we find reminders of G-d's constant support. Sustenance is always sent from the Al-mighty, whether it overtly rains down from heaven as it did for the ancient Israelites, or appears in a more subtle manner.

“The Subtle Secrets of the 10 Plagues”
(updated and revised from Bo 5763-2003)

Nothing in the Torah is arbitrary. Everything is well thought out and is there for a purpose. The Divine accounting system often operates on the basis of midah kineged midah, that no act is ever unaccounted for, no good deed is ever uncompensated, and no evil deed ever goes unpunished. A careful study of the Ten Plagues with which the Egyptians were struck, uncovers an purposeful sense of balance, underscoring how the plagues were direct retribution for specific acts of persecution that the Egyptians visited upon the Israelite slaves.

“The Exodus--A ‘Primitive’ Story with Revolutionary Implications”
(updated and revised from Va’eira 5763-2002)

Jewish history is often perceived, with great justification, as one unending series of tragedies, pogroms, expulsions, inquisitions, crusades, destructions, exiles, and ultimately--holocausts. Even a cursory review of the Jewish calendar confirms this dark perspective. In truth, this perception is incorrect. Jewish history is really one unending series of moral, educational, and ethical triumphs and victories, but we fail to perceive it. We often fail to recognize the untold revolutionary contributions that Judaism has made to humanity. When we study the traditions of Judaism in depth, particularly the traditions of Passover, we see that we have much of which to be proud. We must let the world know about it.

“The Making of a Concerned Jewish Leader”
(updated and revised from Shemot 5763-2002)

Who is the child Moses, and how does he merit to become the “savior” of Israel? Both the biblical texts and the Midrashic elaborations give us hints to help us understand how a child who is raised in Pharaoh's court, becomes such a devoted and dynamic Jewish leader. The fact that he is raised by his biological mother, Yocheved, until he is weaned, is undoubtedly a critical factor. Although tradition is purposely ambiguous, Moses not only receives his rearing from his mother and his sister as a young child, but also from Bitya, the daughter of Pharaoh, who may very well be the secret hero in Moses' life, and consequently, a key player in the destiny of the Jewish people.