Vayikra 5784-2024
“Parashat Zachor: 'Hating as a Mitzvah.'"
(updated and revised from Vayikra 5763-2003)
In February 2003, the highly-acclaimed young scholar, Rabbi Meir Y. Soloveichik, penned an essay in the Christian theological journal, Present Tense, entitled The Virtue of Hate. Although Soloveichik's arguments are technically correct, Prof. Soloveichik, fails to put these valid arguments within proper context. Judaism in fact does theological somersaults in order to find merit even for the most hardcore wicked.
0 Comments11 Minutes
Sukkot 5784-2023
“Worshiping G-d Wholeheartedly”
(updated and revised from Sukkot 5765-2004)
In an affluent society, such as the one in which we live, it is often difficult to find opportunities to worship G-d wholeheartedly. By sacrificing our creature comforts and entering the ill-furnished sukkah, we send G-d a message that we are prepared to give up some of our earthly conveniences for Him. History shows that when we make these sacrifices, we often get paid back--big time!
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Shemini 5783-2023
“The Little Steps that Lead to Big Accomplishments”
(updated and revised from Shemini 5765-2005)
In parashat Shemini we learn that Moses and Aaron come into the Tent of Meeting. From the Torah’s emphasis on the “steps” that they took in coming, we learn the vital importance of the little, often-dismissed, actions. These actions should not be treated lightly. Indeed, they are to be highly regarded and valued as integral and primary parts of the ultimate goal.
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Shemot 5782-2021
“The Circumcision of Eliezer: A Message for Busy Parents”
(updated and revised from Shemot 5762-2001)
Moses has been summoned by G-d at the burning bush to return to Egypt and lead the people of Israel out of Egypt. Beginning his journey back to the land of Pharaoh, together with his wife and his sons, he stops at an inn where he is encountered by G-d, who seeks to kill him. Moses’ wife immediately takes a flint stone and circumcises the youngest child. What is the message that is communicated by this strange and eerie encounter?
0 Comments8 Minutes
Behar-Bechukotai 5781-2021
“The Extraordinary Mitzvah of Tzedakah--Charity”
(updated and revised from Behar-Bechukotai 5762-2002)
The word tzedakah, does not mean charity, but rather justice and righteousness. It is not an act of charity to be generous, it is the correct thing to do.
0 Comments12 Minutes
Bo 5781-2021
“The Slave Mentality”
(updated and revised from Bo 5761–2001)
The Mechilta tells us that what a simple maidservant saw at the Red Sea even the greatest prophets of the future were not to see. If G-d was so close and so palpable to the ancient Israelites, how then was it possible for the Jewish people to lose faith so quickly?
0 Comments7 Minutes
Bo 5780-2020
“Rational Love and Emotional Love: A Lesson from Tefillin”
(revised and updated from Bo 5760-2000)
From the ritual of Tefillin we learn that there is both “rational love” and “emotional love,” a love of the mind and a love of the heart. While both these loves are important, in Judaism, emotional love trumps rational love.
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Vayeira 5780-2019
"The Preciousness of Hospitality"
(Updated and Revised from Vayeira 5760-1999)
While 99-year-old Abraham is recovering from his recent circumcision, he sees potential guests on the horizon. Despite his pain, he quickly runs toward the wayfarers and begs them not to pass by his tent without accepting his hospitality. There is much we can learn from Abraham’s manner of welcoming guests. It is essential that we not lose the capacity to properly perform the noble and ennobling mitzvah of “Hachnassat Orchim.”
0 Comments10 Minutes
Tzav 5777-2017
“Lessons from the Ceremony of the Consecration of the כֹּהֲנִים—
the Priests”
From the ceremony of the consecration of the priests we learn that mitzvot must be performed with sincerity and full- hearted devotion.
0 Comments6 Minutes
Behar 5776-2016
“Bernie Sanders Meets Parashat Behar"
Among many important themes, parashat B'ha'a'lot'cha contains two fascinating stories about the Israelites in the wilderness. Both stories can be seen as a metaphor for contemporary Jewish life: Jews who feel that their "souls are dried up" and that Judaism has little or nothing to say to them, and Jews who love their Judaism and do not want to miss out on the wonderful benefits of living a full Jewish life.
0 Comments10 Minutes
Nitzavim-Rosh Hashana 5775/5776-2015
“Standing Firmly Before G-d and Man”
Parashat Nitzavim conveys a very powerful message of mutual responsibility that should resonate with all Jews, especially during the fateful period of the High Holy Days.
0 Comments10 Minutes
Eikev 5775-2015
“‘D’vay’kut’--Bonding with the Al-mighty”
“D’vay’kut,” bonding with G-d, is often thought of as being an exceedingly mystical and esoteric concept, far from the reach of the common folk. Yet it is achievable to those who are willing to emulate G-d’s deeds, embrace the sages and scholars, and heed the message of the Divine in sacred music.
0 Comments7 Minutes
Vayeira 5774-2013
“Greater than Welcoming the Divine Presence”
Is welcoming guests a greater mitzvah than welcoming the Divine Presence? Perhaps they are of equal value?
0 Comments6 Minutes
Sukkot 5774-2013
"Half for You, and Half for G-d"
The Jewish festivals of Passover, Shavuot and Sukkot are intended to be shared celebrations. Half is to be devoted to the celebrants and half to the Al-mighty.
0 Comments7 Minutes
Chayei Sarah 5773-2012
"Beware Not to Return My Son There!"
Why was Abraham so adamant about not allowing his servant, Eliezer, to take Abraham’s son, Isaac, out of the land of Israel to look for an appropriate mate?
0 Comments11 Minutes
Eikev 5772-2012
“Loving the Stranger”
If attitudes of antipathy and xenophobia are often directed at mere strangers, how much more so to strangers who wish to convert to Judaism, who are neither members of our families, nor of our people. Consequently, the Torah laws regarding the proper treatment of converts are rather extensive and quite detailed.
0 Comments8 Minutes
Behar-Bechukotai, Yom Yerushalayim 5772-2012
"Living Outside the Land of Israel"
Although the Midrash regards the importance of the mitzvah of dwelling in the land of Israel as equivalent in value to all the other Torah mitzvot combined, the debate still rages today regarding the obligation for all Jews to dwell in the land of Israel.
0 Comments8 Minutes
Acharei Mot-Kedoshim 5772-2012
"Respect for Elders"
Our rabbis suggest that according filial respect and honoring elders are the fundamental building blocks of a healthy society, without which the world would soon revert to a state of chaos.
0 Comments7 Minutes
Lech Lecha 5772-2011
“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?
0 Comments9 Minutes
Bereshith 5772-2011
“The Fall of Man”
What really happened in the Garden of Eden between Adam, Eve and the serpent?
0 Comments12 Minutes
Kee Teitzei 5771-2011
"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.
0 Comments10 Minutes
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