Redeeming Relevance: Zot HaBeraKha: A Grave Apart
It was not enough for Moshe to die by himself, however; his separation from family and nation had to be total, even after his death. And so his burial spot would need to be hidden from all.
Redeeming Relevance: Pesach’s Missing Eighth Day
Appreciate that Pesach is NOT meant to end on the seventh day, but at Shavuot. With that in mind, we need to work harder to accept making the days of sefirat ha-omer into days akin to chol ha-moed
Redeeming Relevance in the Weekly Parsha: Vayishev
Yehudah, more suited to the role, became leader and not Yosef- the very public candidate for the job
Redeeming Relevance in the Weekly Parsha: Vayakehel/Pikudei
Torah is written with a human bent; As the Talmud says, "The Torah speaks in the language of men."
Redeeming Relevance: Chaye Sarah: What Happened to Yitzchak?
Yitzchak, did not go to Be’er Lechai Ro’ee to pray or meditate. Rather he was on a mission, and that mission was to return Hagar to Avraham in marriage.
Redeeming Relevance: Parshat Ekev: Making Gratitude Count
Is the source for saying Birkat HaMazon as obvious as we normally assume?
Redeeming Relevance in the Weekly Parsha: Ki Tissa
Aharon’s guilt with the golden calf is not clear-cut. What if Moshe were in his brother’s place?
The Fathers-in-Law: Lavan and Yitro
Of all the many fathers-in-law in the Bible, only Yitro & Lavan are singled out for this designation
Redeeming Relevance in the Weekly Parsha: Tetzaveh
What about the Temple service required God to intervene commanding Aaron what he needed to wear?
Redeeming Relevance: Parshat Matot: Menashe — The Odd Man Out
Why did Moshe include part of Menashe together with Gad and Reuven in the Transjordanian settlement?
Redeeming Relevance: Parshat Kedoshim: The Ten Commandments’ New Spin
With the 10 Commandments, G-d is described as the One who took the Jews out of Egypt. In Parshat Kedoshim, He is described simply as being "holy." Both phrases set the tone for the list that follows.
Redeeming Relevance in the Weekly Parsha: Vayishlach
By the time Yaakov becomes Yisrael, however, his worldview has changed dramatically.
Redeeming Relevance on the Weekly Parsha: Terumah
The notion of duality is paradoxically a very important part of God’s unity.
Redeeming Relevance: Parshat Vayikra: Ownership, Chametz and the Sacrificial Conundrum
There is likely some connection between the prohibition of chametz on the altar and the chametz which is more likely on our minds as we rid our homes of this most challenging foodstuff.
Redeeming Relevance: Parshat Re’eh: Spilling Blood and Spilling Water
In view of the seeming sanctity that the Torah imparts to blood, why would it tell us to spill animal blood indiscriminately?
Redeeming Relevance: Moshe’s Last Chance
Moshe was ideally suited to the role of an intermediary between God’s immanent presence and Israel but not so well suited to leadership in front of a hidden God
Redeeming Relevance: Parshat Emor II: No Time to Think
The Torah is telling us something here: Though we may sometimes act too rashly, there are times when rash action is the only way to prevent a complete catastrophe.
Redeeming Relevance: Mishpatim
"Hamas" means "violent," via undue human pressure on a process not meant to be controlled by humans
Redeeming Relevance: Parshat Re’eh
God's greatest gift for growth & coming closer to Him is "feedback;" Eretz Israel is set up that way
Redeeming Relevance: Parshat Vaera: Wasn’t Moshe a Prophet?
Moshe complained to God that even though he would have the best human understanding of the Divine will, he had difficulty bringing it down to regular people. That role-"turgaman/navi"-Aharon filled
Redeeming Relevance on the Weekly Parsha: Chaye Sarah
At the beginning of this week's parsha, Rashi informs us that Sarah's death was no accident, but rather a result of hearing about Avraham...
Redeeming Relevance: Parshat Vayakhel: A Surprise Leader
From the beginning of the building project, the financial and physical contribution of all Jews was sought. There was a need to show that the Torah’s tabernacle was where all Jews stand equal before God
Redeeming Relevance: Parshat Noach II
The remarkable gift of unity should be a powerful tool to further mankind and to further God’s will.
Redeeming Relevance in the Weekly Parsha: Noach
Our intentions are critical in raising children because they mimic everything we parents do & think
Redeeming Relevance: To Forgive is Divine… but not Exclusively
Did you ever wonder if Yosef and his brothers ever conclusively put their past friction to rest?