The Sign Of The Covenant
The sedrah of Tazria begins with the law of circumcision Why this physical mark on the flesh? What does it tell us about the nature of Jewish identity?
Free Worship
What is the difference between philosophy and the political vision at the heart of Tanach? The answer lies in their different understandings of time.
Science, Nature And Revelation
Throughout all Egypt the dust turned into lice. But when the magicians tried to produce lice by their secret arts, they could not. The lice attacked men and animals alike. The magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of G-d.” But Pharaoh’s heart was hard and he would not listen.
Between Truth And Peace
Moses’s motto was: Let the law pierce the mountain. Aaron, however, loved peace and pursued peace and made peace between man and man.
Why Judaism?
Choose life. No religion, no civilization, has insisted so strenuously and consistently that we can choose.
A Nation Of Leaders
Israel can learn practical politics from a Midianite but it must learn the limits of politics from G-d Himself.
The Blessing Of Love
We do not need to prove ourselves in order to receive a blessing from G-d. All we need to know is that His face is turned toward us.
The Covenants Of Fate And Destiny
Sadly, we're no longer an edah; We've fissured and fractured: Orthodox & Reform; religious & secular
To Thank Before We Think
Envy, covetousness, desiring what someone else has, is an emotion, not a thought, a word, or a deed. And surely we can’t help our emotions.
Where Religion And Nationhood Coincide
According to he Netziv, If Jews live distinctive and apart from others they will dwell safely, but if they seek to emulate ‘the nations’ they ‘will not be reckoned’ as anything special at all.
Telling The Story
In Judaism, the stories are not engraved in stone on memorials…. They are told at home, around the table, from parents to children as the gift of the past to the future.
The Necessity of Asking Questions
Judaism believes it’s a religious duty to teach our children to ask questions.
The Hidden Spirituality Of Tzitzit
There's no obligation TO wear tzitzit; opting to wear them symbolizes free acceptance of the mitzvot
The Counterpoint of Leadership
In Judaism, monarchy had little or no religious function.
Journey Of The Generations
We are too young to venture into the world on our own. It is precisely the stable, predictable presence of parents in our early years that gives us a basic sense of trust in life.
Changing The Past
We can only change the world if we can change ourselves. That is why the book of Genesis ends with the story of Joseph and his brothers.
To Ask Is To Grow
In Judaism, to be without questions is a sign not of faith, but of lack of depth.
From Structure To Continuity To Spontaneity
Why was spontaneity wrong for Nadav and Avihu, yet right for Moshe Rabbeinu? The answer is that Nadav and Avihu were kohanim, priests. Moses was a navi, a prophet. These are two different forms of religious leadership. They involve different tasks and different sensibilities, indeed different approaches to time itself.
On Not Being A Victim
Remarkably, despite the exiles and horrors of history, Jews did not see themselves as victims. This is the message Moses imparts throughout sefer Devarim: Never define yourself as a victim
The Revolution That Began With The Akeida
The test was not whether Abraham would sacrifice his son but whether he would give him over to G-d.
The Universality Of Sukkot
Sukkot is the most universalistic of all festivals. At the same time, however, it is the most particularist of festivals. When we sit in the sukkah, we recall Jewish history
8 Short Thoughts For 8 Chanukah Nights
So as we celebrate Chanukah, spare a thought for the real victory, which was not military but spiritual. Jews were the people who valued marriage, the home, and peace between husband and wife, above the highest glory on the battlefield. In Judaism, the light of peace takes precedence over the light of war
The Need For Chukkim
Of Chukkim “Satan and the nations of the world made fun.” They may appear irrational & superstitious
Does The Torah Care About Animal Welfare?
Animals are part of G-d’s creation. They have their own integrity in the scheme of things. This would not have been news to the heroes of the Bible.
The Inner Meaning Of The Sacrifices
The key element is not so much giving something up (the usual meaning of sacrifice), but rather bringing something close to G-d.
Whose Footsteps Do We Follow When We Pray?
Jewish prayer is a convergence of 2 modes of biblical spirituality, exemplified by Moses and Aaron
Renewable Energy
What Shabbat gave – and still gives – is the unique opportunity to create space within our lives, and within society as a whole, in which we are truly free.
Dwelling Alone And Beating The Odds
All agree that Jews ARE different. How? Why? The Bible's answer is surprising and profound.
The Limits of the Free Market: Behar-Bechukotai
“Torah study without an occupation will in the end fail and lead to sin.” Avot 2:2
Conversation Is The Key To Understanding
From Parshat Vayeishev to the end of Sefer Bereishit, we read the story of Joseph and his brothers. From the very beginning we are plunged into a drama of sibling rivalry that seems destined to end in tragedy.