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Weekly Divrei Torah   
" Click here to see previous Parshiot "
Shabbat Forshpeis    A Taste of Torah in Honor of Shabbat


This Weeks Divrei Torah


PARSHAT EMOR
ENJOYING THE MOMENT AND
THEN PUTTING IT IN PERSPECIVE
MAY 9-10, 2008 / 5 IYAR 5768


When our oldest daughter Dena was wed to Mark, I found
myself in deep thought.  A dear friend came by and
said, "Loosen up Avi.  Enjoy it.  You'll have time to think later." 


PARSHAT KEDOSHIM
A DIVINE VIEW OF THE ELDERLY
MAY 2 ? 3, 2008 / 28 NISAN 5768


Why does the Torah conclude the mandate to honor
the elderly with the words "I am the Lord
(ani Hashem)?"  (Leviticus 19:32)  What is
the connection between the
elderly and recognizing God?


A PASSOVER REFLECTION
TWO TYPES OF LOVE OF GOD
FOR THE JEWISH PEOPLE
APRIL 19-27, 2008/ 15-22 NISAN 5768


The Book of Leviticus opens with the word
Va-yikra, "and He [the Lord] called."
(Leviticus 1:1)  Rashi points out that
va-yikra is a term of endearment.


PARSHAT METZORA
REKINDLING LOVE BETWEEN HUSBAND AND WIFE
APRIL 11-12, 2008/ 7 NISAN 5768


Those who seek reasons for Jewish ritual
(ta'amei ha-mitzvot) by and large view such
observances as a conduit to better feel the


PARSHAT TAZRIA
THE MEANING OF TUMAH
APRIL 4-5, 2008 / 29 ADAR II 5768


There are many who believe that Jewish law links
a menstruating woman (niddah) with that which is
dirty. This because the word tameh, associated with
the niddah (see for example this week's portion
Leviticus 12:2) is often defined as


PARSHAT SHEMINI
THE UNDERLYING MEANING OF
THE LAWS OF KASHRUT
APRIL 28-29, 2008 / 22 ADAR II 5768


In some circles, it is assumed that the
laws of kashruth, the dietary laws, are related
to health. By abstaining for example, from the
consumption of swine, one is protected from trichinosis.


PARSHAT TZAV
SACRIFICES CELEBRATE OUR LOVE OF GOD
MARCH 22-23, 2008 / 15 ADAR 11 5768


This week's portion continues the theme of
the sacrificial service. There are many suggestions


PARSHAT VAYIKRA
A PURIM REFLECTION THE CAPACITY TO
CHANGE IN THE FACE OF POWERFUL ODDS
MARCH 14-15, 2008 / 8 ADAR II 5768


Fundamental to the idea of the korban, which
we begin reading about this week,
is the power to change oneself.


PARSHAT PEKUDEI
THE MEANING OF HAZAK, HAZAK, VE-NITHAZEK
MARCH 7-8, 2008 / 1 ADAR II 5768


The second book of the Torah concludes at the end of this
week's portion. As the final words are recited, the
assembled call out hazak, hazak, ve-nithazek,
be strong, be strong and may we be strengthened.


PARSHAT VA-YAKHEL
DETAILS GIVE US EQUAL ACCESS TO THE DIVINE
FEBRUARY 29 - MARCH 1, 2008/ 24 ADAR I 5768


No less than seven portions are dedicated to the building
of the Tabernacle and the sacrificial service
offered there. One wonders why so much detail?


PARSHAT KI TISA
GOD'S TEMPERING JUSTICE WITH MERCY
FEBRUARY 22-23 2008/ 17 ADAR I 5768


Rabbi Menachem Liebtag argues that the thirteen attributes
which are used to describe God, parallel attributes of
God found previously in the Torah.


PARSHAT TEZAVEH
THE SOFT CALL OF THE PRIESTLY BELLS
FEBRUARY 15-16, 2008/ 10 ADAR I 5768


The Torah tells us in this week's portion that on
the hem of the priestly robe (ephod) bells will
be sewn. As the priest enters the sanctuary


PARSHAT TERUMAH
THE KINDLING OF THE MENORAH
AS A PARADIGM FOR HUMAN SPIRITUALITY
FEBRUARY 8-9, 2008/ 3 ADAR I 5768


From a strictly halakhic perspective, the kindling
of the menorah is not an act of serving God.


PARSHAT MISHPATIM
SHOULD ONE EAT AND DRINK AT A TIME OF HOLINESS?
FEBRUARY 1-2, 2008 / 26 SHEVAT 5768


As the Jews stood at Mt. Sinai receiving the Torah,
they "ate and drank."(Exodus 24:11) Isn't this
inappropriate, especially when
considering the holiness of the moment?


PARSHAT YITRO
THE LESSONS OF THE RAMPS TO THE ALTAR
JANUARY 25-26 2008/ 19 SHEVAT 5768


The last sentence of this week's portion states
that ramps should lead to the altar. (Exodus 20:23)
Why are ramps used and not steps?


PARSHAT BESHALAH
THE PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP IS THE MOST EVERLASTING
JANUARY 18-19 2008/ 12 SHVAT 5768


An examination of the first time Jews praised God
after leaving Egypt offers an understanding of two
distinct models of approaching God.


PARSHAT BO
EVEN THE DARKEST MOMENTS CONTAIN
SPARKS OF HOPE
JANUARY 11-12 2008/ 5 SHEVAT 5768


The Biblical term for midnight, the time Moshe (Moses)
says God will slay the first born-is ka-hazot ha-lailah.
(Exodus 11:4) Different interpretations are given for
the prefix ka, which gives us the key
as to the true meaning of this term.


PARSHAT VA-ERA
IN THE END, THE FACE OF TRUTH ALWAYS EMERGES
JANUARY 4-5, 2008/ 27 TEVET 5768


If the Egyptian magicians did not have godly powers,
how were they able to perform miraculous feats and
match Moshe (Moses) act for act by duplicating the
first two plagues? A closer look at the text reveals


PARSHAT SHEMOT
TRUE HEROES ARE OFTEN KNOWN ONLY TO GOD
DECEMBER 28-29 2007/ 20 TEVET 5768


Who were the midwives that were asked by Pharaoh
to kill the newborn Jewish males? (Exodus 1:15, 16)
Their identity is critical because they


PARSHAT VA-YECHI
ALTHOUGH DIFFICULT, OPENNESS
IS THE KEY TO TRUE UNDERSTANDING
DECEMBER 21-22, 2007 / 13 TEVET 5768


Describing the brothers' feelings after
the death of their father Yaacov (Jacob),
the Torah states, "Now Yosef's (Joseph) brothers
saw that their father had died, and they said,


PARSHAT VAYIGASH
THE LESSONS OF GOSHEN
DECEMBER 14-15, 2007 / 6 TEVET 5768


What makes Yosef (Joseph) so keen on
settling his families in a suburb of
Egypt-a place called Goshen?


PARSHAT MIKETZ
REAL COURAGE IS ACTING EVEN WHEN
YOU ARE UNSURE OF THE OUTCOME
DECEMBER 8, 2007 / 4TH DAY OF CHANUKAH- 28 KISLEV 5768


In this week's portion, Yaakov (Jacob) hesitates
to allow Binyamin (Benjamin) his youngest child,
to return with his brothers to Egypt.?


PARSHAT VA-YESHEV
JACOB'S DESIRE TO CHANGE THE FAMILY DESTINY
NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 1, 2007/ 21 KISLEV 5768


After Joseph's two dreams his siblings are naturally
upset - believing that Joseph had aspirations to
control them. The rage turns into jealousy
when Jacob seems to give


PARSHAT VAYISHLACH
THE DUAL IMPORTANCE OF BOTH THE
SPIRITUAL AND THE PHYSICAL CHALLENGE
NOVEMBER 23-24, 2007/ 14 KISLEV 5768


One of the most powerful images in the Torah is that of
Yaakov (Jacob) struggling with a mysterious being (ish)
before his anxiously awaited meeting with
his brother Esav (Esau). (Genesis 32:25)


PARSHAT VAYETZE
EVERY RELATIONSHIP CONTAINS
ELEMENTS OF SURPRISE
NOVEMBER 16-17 2007/ 7 KISLEV 5768


How is it possible that Yaakov (Jacob) didn't know that
he spent his wedding night with Leah rather than Rachel?
The text says, "and it came to pass in the morning and behold


PARSHAT TOLDOT
THE REPAIR OF PARENTS' MISSTEPS CAN OFTEN
BE DONE THROUGH THEIR CHILDREN
NOVEMBER 9-10 2007/ 29 HESHVAN 5768


Standing before his father Yitzchak (Isaac), Ya'akov
(Jacob) claims that he is his brother Esav (Esau).
(Genesis 27:19) While some commentators rationalize


PARSHAT HAYEI SARAH
GER TOSHAV: THE PERMANENT AND TEMPORARY
STATUS OF HUMAN EXISTENCE
NOVEMBER 2-3, 2007 / 22 HESHVAN 5768


As he buys a burial plot for his wife Sarah, Avraham
(Abraham) identifies himself as a ger toshav.
(Genesis 23:4) The term is enigmatic.


PARSHAT VA-YERA
AVRAHAM, UNIVERSALISM AND NATIONALISM
OCTOBER 26-27, 2007/ 15 HESHVAN 5768


This week's portion (Va-yera) parallels last week's
(Lekh Lekha) with one significant exception. Lekh
Lekha is nationalistic, while this week's
portion is universalistic.


PARSHAT LEKH-LEKHA
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PLANTERS OF THE SEEDS OF GREATNESS
OCOTBER 19-20, 2007 / 8 HESHVAN 5768


Terah, Avraham's (Abraham) father, is often viewed as
an evil man and nothing more than an idol worshipper.
A review of the text indicates otherwise. First of all,
Terah's son, Haran, dies during Terah's lifetime.


PARSHAT NOACH
HOW TO REACT WHEN DISAPPOINTED
BY THE ONES WE LOVE
OCTOBER 12-13 2007/ 1 HESHVAN 5768


After leaving the ark, Noah becomes drunk and uncovers
himself. (Genesis 9:21) His children, having witnessed
this act, react in very different ways.


A SIMCHAT TORAH REFLECTION
OCTOBER 4-5, 2007 / 22-23 TISHREI 5768


The last portion of the Torah reverberates with the
image of circles. After all, immediately after its
reading, we start the Torah from the beginning again.
The circle symbolizes the deep meaning of
Simchat Torah. We have, indeed, come full circle.


SUKKOT: THE SECRET TO HAPPINESS
SEPTEMBER 27, 2007 / 15 TISHREI 5768


Sukkot is the only festival referred to as zeman
simhateinu, the time of happiness in
our liturgy. The Torah in its


A TASTE OF TORAH IN HONOR OF YOM KIPPUR
THE MULTIPLE MEANINGS OF TESHUVAH
SEPTEMBER 21-22, 2007 / 10 TISHREI 5768


The central theme of Yom Kippur is teshuvah,
commonly translated as "repentance." We hear
so much about this term, but what,
in fact does it truly mean?


REFLECTIONS ON THE SHOFAR
SEPTEMBER 13-15, 2007/ 1-3 TISHREI 5768


Autumn Approaches. Before we even realize, the
weather begins to turn, the colors deepen. We
prepare for a new season. Our activities include
adding layers of covering to provide protection
against the cold weather soon to follow.


PARSHAT NITZAVIM - VA-YELEKH
EACH GENERATION REACHES HIGHER AND HIGHER
SEPTEMBER 7-8, 2007 / 25 ELUL 5767


In the portion of Va-yelekh, Moshe (Moses) declares
that God has not permitted him to enter
the land of Israel. (Deuteronomy 31:2)







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