Turning Curses Into Blessings
Jewish history isn't just Jews enduring catastrophes but renewing themselves after every disaster
On Not Predicting The Future
HaShem wanted the Israelites to become a living testimony to the power of freedom.
Reframing
Joseph reframed his entire past, now understanding himself charged with a life-saving mission by God
Changing And Growing: Judah Sets The Standard
t was not Joseph but Judah who conferred his identity on the people; Judah who became the ancestor of Israel’s greatest king, David; Judah from whom the messiah will be born. Why Judah and not Joseph? The answer undoubtedly lies in the beginning of Parshat Vayigash,
Do Not Shame: Tamar’s Righteous Lesson
Tamar realizes Judah has no intention of giving her his last son. Now trapped-an agunah-she acts
Jacob’s Justifiable Distress
“Jacob was very afraid and distressed.” His fear was physical-fear of death. His distress was moral.
A Father’s Love
It's not difficult understanding why Rebecca loved Jacob, the real question's why Isaac loved Esau?
The Almighty’s Supreme Call To Man
Torah is neither a book of history nor science, it is, first and last, a book about how to live.
The Universality Of Sukkot
Sukkot's the only festival sharing the pilgrimage cycle & part of Tishrei sequence-hence, double JOY
Torah As Song
“We received Torah from Moses” or “from our parents” isn't enough. We must write our "own" scroll
The Pursuit Of Joy
Happiness is not the central value of the Torah. Occurring ten times more is the word "simcha," JOY
To The Third And Fourth Generations
If we parents fail to honor responsibilities then society’s children will pay the price for our sins
The Hope And Promise Of Prophecy
Moshe wasn't the last of the prophets. How would Israel discern his true successors from the false?
Greatness Is Humility
Three moments, sharing the same message, made a deep impression on me: Greatness is humility.
The Poet And Mystic Vs. The Philosopher
Amongst the greatest disagreements in Judaism is the understanding of the 1st of the 10 Commandments
The Prophets’ Influence
"When a king dies his power ends; when a prophet dies his influence begins" & their words echo today
The Lighting Of Candles
Sharing influence is like lighting a candle with another: it doesn't mean having less; you have more
Dwelling Alone And Beating The Odds
All agree that Jews ARE different. How? Why? The Bible's answer is surprising and profound.
The Need For Chukkim
Of Chukkim “Satan and the nations of the world made fun.” They may appear irrational & superstitious
True Conflict Resolution
Heaven answered Moshe dramatically. He was proved right. End of revolt. End of story- Not at all...
The Hidden Spirituality Of Tzitzit
There's no obligation TO wear tzitzit; opting to wear them symbolizes free acceptance of the mitzvot
The Covenants Of Fate And Destiny
Sadly, we're no longer an edah; We've fissured and fractured: Orthodox & Reform; religious & secular
The Proper Use Of Power
This week's parshah inspired the Jubilee 2000 initiative leading to debt cancellation of $34 biilion
Blood, Idolatry, Or War
Rambam: Eating blood's forbidden because connected to idolatry;Ramban: We're affected by what we eat
The Sin Offering
Why should unintentional sins require atonement? What guilt exists when requisite intent is lacking?
The Space We Create For G-d
Like Shabbat points to something beyond time, the people Israel points to something beyond history
The Sabbath: First Or Last Day?
The Sabbath is a full dress rehearsal for an ideal society that has not yet come to pass-but will
Whose Footsteps Do We Follow When We Pray?
Jewish prayer is a convergence of 2 modes of biblical spirituality, exemplified by Moses and Aaron
A Portable Home
With the synagogue, "Judaism created one of the greatest revolutions in the history of religion"
The Universality Of Wisdom
By wisdom, we come to understand G-d via creation; By Torah we understand G-d through His revelation