Torah
Devarim: Just Say Yes Well, it’s the beginning of the end. No, not in our culture, though you might feel that way. I mean in our weekly Torah reading. This week we read Parshat Devarim, the first selection in the 5th and final book of the Torah, Deuteronomy. The entire…
It’s the final Shabbat before Rosh HaShanah, and our deepest opportunity to look within and ask ourselves if we are ready? Are we ready to change? Are we ready to return to our essential selves, to the sparks of holiness in our innermost soul? The word teshuvah, which we…
Children can be frustrating. They are a wonder and joy, and, we must admit, also a challenge. And this is not just a contemporary phenomenon. Apparently, our Israelite ancestors struggled with unmanageable kids, and, in this week’s Torah portion, they prescribe what seems like a rather harsh solution to…
Devarim: Just Say Yes Well, it’s the beginning of the end. No, not in our culture, though you might feel that way. I mean in our weekly Torah reading. This week we read Parshat Devarim, the first selection in the 5th and final book of the Torah, Deuteronomy. …
In your Shabbat bulletin you will find a list of my 30 favorite verses in the Torah. I started off with a goal of 10, but the list quickly expanded. I am happy to share with you privately what I love about each of the ones I chose. Some of them are…
The book of BaMidbar picks up where Exodus left off. Our Israelite ancestors escaped from slavery in Egypt, successfully passed through the red sea, and received the Torah at Mount Sinai. The story is interrupted by the entire book of Leviticus, describing the responsibilities of the priests as they establish…
This week’s Torah portion, B’Har addresses issues of economic justice and social equality, environmental stewardship – the sabbatical and Jubilee years. All of these are meaningful and important and worthy of a full and rich sermon. And none of them are what I’d like to address right now. Instead- I…
After perhaps too much preparation, we find ourselves in the midst of our Passover celebration. Perhaps the message of “Dayenu” has found its way into our hearts? Instead of spending all of our time shopping and cooking and cleaning, what if, instead, we shifted our perspective on Passover and understand…
Why is this Passover seder different from all other Passover seders? Passover celebrates liberation. It celebrates freedom. It celebrates the exodus from slavery. And yet. . . Over 100 Israeli hostages are not free to celebrate with their families this year. Our joy is diminished as we feel the lack…
I’ve been thinking a lot about the upcoming holiday of Purim, a moment in our calendar characterized by much joy and not a small amount of silliness. Drinking is encouraged, cookies and costumes are an integral part of the celebration, lots of noise and things turned topsy turvy. I’m not…