Welcoming the stranger
Vayera — Genesis 18:1-22:24
November 4, 2009
At the beginning of this week’s parsha, Abraham is sitting at the door of his tent when he sees three men. And even though, as the rabbis tell us, he is recuperating from his self-administered circumcision, he jumps up, runs to greet them, and invites them to be his guests. Read More
The truest of partnerships
Noach — Genesis 6:9-11:32
October 22, 2009
Come, let us go down and there confound their language, so that they shall not understand one another’s speech.” (Genesis 11:7) What is the connection between Adam’s existential state of aloneness and the tragic social isolation resulting from the Tower of Babel, when one universal language is replaced by 70 languages, leading to bedlam and dispersion? Read More
Poison envy
Bereshit — Genesis 1:1-6:8
October 14, 2009
Why did God favor Abel and his offering? The Torah doesn’t tell us. In any case, Cain was upset and angry. But rather than directing his anger toward God, he turned against his brother. Read More
Going for the joy
Shemini Atzeret — Simhat Torah
October 7, 2009
Life is not a bed of roses, but it’s not a funeral either. Without denying the brutal reality of human suffering, we Jews stress life (“l’chaim,” we say) and joy. Nothing illustrates that message better than the week of Sukkot and the holiday following, Simhat Torah. Read More
A fitting book
Sukkot
September 30, 2009
The Bible has five special books known as the megillot, or scrolls. Esther is read at Purim, the Song of Songs at Pesach, Ruth on Shavuot, and Lamentations on Tisha B’Av. The fifth scroll, the Book of Ecclesiastes — Kohelet — is read during Sukkot. Read More
Angels and animals
Ha’azinu — Deuteronomy 32:1-32:52
September 23, 2009
Ha’azinu contains the prophetic poem known as the “Song of Moses.” It begins with words of moral teaching, contrasting the virtue of God to the wickedness of Israel. It then tells of God’s goodness to Israel, Israel’s prosperity and rebellion, and God’s punishment for breaking the covenant. Finally, it speaks of God’s mercy, that God will save His people from their enemies. Read More
Where are you?
Rosh Hashana
September 16, 2009
Why do religion columns say so little about religion? Business sections describe business and sports pages give us sports, but religion articles report on denominational organizations, new trends in prayer, and what rabbis are saying from the pulpit — not religion itself. Read More
Adopting an attitude of gratitude
Nitzavim/Vayelech — Deuteronomy 29:9-30:30/31:1-31:30
September 9, 2009
“Thank you” — I think those two words are the most important in our language. I often recommend to new parents that these two words be among the first things their baby learns to say. Read More
Content with your portion
Ki Tavo — Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8
September 2, 2009
The largest part of Ki Tavo is known as the Tocheha, the rebuke. It presents the blessings that will occur if Israel obeys God’s laws and the curses that will ensue if it does not. Read More
A king, not a magician
Ki Tetze - Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19
August 27, 2009
Ki Tetze Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19 Read More
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