Shabbat Forshpeis
A Taste of Torah in Honor of Shabbat
This Weeks Divrei Torah
PARSHAT HUKAT
THE LIMITATIONS OF THE HUMAN MIND
JULY 3-4, 2009 / 2 TAMMUZ 5769
There are differing opinions concerning the meaning
of hok (commonly translated as statute), the
type oflaw discussed at the beginning of
this week's
portion. (Numbers 19)
PARSHAT KORACH
THE ROLE OF MIRACLES IN THE PROCESS OF BELIEF
JUNE 26-27, 2009 / 5 TAMUZ 5769
I've often heard people say, "if only God
would reveal
Himself miraculously"
PARSHAT SHELAKH
THE KEY TO ISRAEL'S EVERLASTING HOLINESS
JUNE 19-20, 2009 / 28 SIVAN 5769
In this week's portion, Moshe sends forth
spies to search out the land of Israel.
This is the first step leading
to the conquest
of the land.
PARSHAT BEHA'ALOTKHA
THE TRUE ROOT OF HUMILITY
JUNE 12-13, 2009 / 21 SIVAN 5769
Moshe (Moses) had many qualities that we should
emulate. Yet, the quality that he was possibly
the most famous for was his humility. This
week's portion
tells us of
PARSHAT NASO
GOD'S SPECIAL LOVE FOR THE CONVERT
JUNE 5-6, 2009/ 14 SIVAN 5769
If a thief robs by violence, swears falsely and
then confesses his guilt, the Torah tells us that
he is liable to return the value of the object plus
an additional one-fifth
to the plaintiff.
SHAVUOT FORSHPEIS
A TASTE OF TORAH IN HONOR OF YOM TOV
THE PARALLEL NATURE OF DIVINE AND HUMAN LOVE
MAY 29-30, 2009 / 6-7 SIVAN 5769
Shavuot is a celebration of that moment when we,
the Jewish people, were wed to God. Note the
parallel between that moment and the
wedding of
bride and groom.
PARSHAT BAMIDBAR
THE LINK BEWTEEN PARSHAT BAMIDBAR
AND THE HOLIDAY OF SHAVUOT
MAY 22-23, 2009 / 29 IYAR 5769
This week's parsha, Bamidbar is always read
on the Shabbat prior to the Shavuot
holiday. This year is no different.
Rabbi
Isaiah Halevy Horowitz,
PARSHAT BEHAR-BECHUKOTAI
WHY DO THE GOOD SUFFER?
MAY 15-16, 2009 / 22 IYAR 5769
One of this week's parshiot clearly states that
good people are rewarded while evil people are
punished. In the words of the Torah: "If you
keep my commandments...then
I will give your "
PARSHAT EMOR
EYE FOR AN EYE: THE INTERDEPENDENCE
OF WRITTEN AND ORAL LAW
MAY 8-9, 2009/ 15 IYAR 5769
In this week's portion, the Torah proclaims the
famous dictum "eye for an eye." (Leviticus 24:20)
The message seems clear.
If one takes
PARSHAT AHAREI MOT - KEDOSHIM
OUR MISSION TO TURN PASSIVE FATE
INTO ACTIVE DESTINY
MAY 1-2, 2009/ 8 IYAR 5769
Why were Nadav and Avihu, two of Ahron's (Aaron)
sons killed? The Torah states their death came when
they brought an eish zarah, a
foreign fire, into the
PARSHAT TAZRIA-METZORA
THE POWER OF SPEECH
APRIL 24-25, 2009 / 1 IYAR 5769
Leprosy, the subject of one of our parshiot
this week, is traditionally associated with the
sin of slander. Thus, there is a similarity
between the
Hebrew word for
PARSHAT SHEMINI
THE WONDERFUL AND DESTRUCTIVE
NATURE OF WINE
APRIL 17-18, 2009 / 24 NISAN 5759
Aaron the High Priest is told by God in this
week's portion not to drink wine before
officiating in
the Tabernacle. (Leviticus 10:9)
PASSOVER 5769
CHAD GADYA AS A MEANINGFUL END
TO THE PESACH SEDER
APRIL 8-16, 2009 / 14-22 NISAN 5769
At first glance, Chad Gadya is a kind of light
hearted song whose sole purpose is to provide
an entertaining ending to the seder. Yet, in
order to truly understand its meaning an analysis
of the structure of
the seder is required.
PARSHAT TZAV
NO ONE IS ABOVE TAKING OUT THE GARBAGE
APRIL 3-4, 2009 / 10 NISSAN 5769
Our parsha informs us that the priests' first
task of the day was to remove the ashes from the
offering sacrificed
the previous day. (Leviticus 6:3)
PARSHAT VAYIKRA
TWO TYPES OF LOVE OF GOD FOR
THE JEWISH PEOPLE
MARCH 27-28, 2009 / 3 NISAN 5769
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 VAYAKHEL-PIKUDEI
SANCTITY OF TIME IS EVEN MORE
IMPORTANT THAN SANCTITY OF PLACE
MARCH 20-21, 2009/ 25 ADAR 5769
The last two portions of the Book of Exodus
apply and repeat information found in previous
passages of the Torah. In Parshat VaYakhel,
the Tabernacle
is constructed in its detail
PARSHAT KI TISA
THE PROPER REACTION TO ANOTHER'S
CONFUSED STATE OF BELIEF
MARCH 13-14, 2009/ 18 ADAR 5769
As Moshe (Moses) descends the mountain,
aware that the Jews had made the golden calf,
Joshua awaits him. Hearing noise coming from
the camp, Joshua tells
Moshe that he hears the
PARSHAT TETZAVEH
HOW DO WE USE THE HONOR WE ARE GIVEN?
MARCH 6-7, 2009 / 11 ADAR 5769
This week's portion deals primarily
with the priestly garments. Right at
the outset, the Torah states that they
were worn by
the Priest for "honor" (kavod).
PARSHAT TERUMAH
THE MEANING OF THE CROWNS ATOP
THE ARK, TABLE AND ALTAR
4 ADAR 5769 / FEBRUARY 27-28, 2009
The Torah informs us that the Ark
(Aron-Exodus 25:11), the Table
(Shulhan –Exodus 25:24)
and the
Altar of Incense
PARSHAT MISHPATIM/SHEKALIM
THE INTEGRAL CONNECTION BETWEEN
PRAYER AND ACTION
FEBRUARY 20-21, 2009 / 27 SHEVAT 5769
The Talmud states that the source of prayer
is the biblical phrase: "And you shall serve
Him with
all your heart."?(Deuteronomy 11:13)
PARSHAT YITRO
EVERYONE IS ENTITLED TO THE
HIGHEST LEVEL OF JUSTICE
FEBRUARY 13-14, 2009/ 20 SHEVAT 5769
Watching Moshe (Moses) judge the Jews from
morning to night, Yitro (Jethro), Moshe's
father-in-law, offers sound advice.?
He tells Moshe that
if you continue
PARSHAT BESHALACH
A SALVATION OF PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN
HEAVEN AND EARTH
FEBRUARY 6-7, 2009 / 13 SHEVAT 5769
"Where is God?" asked Menahem Mendel of
Kotzk, one of the great Hasidic
masters.
"Everywhere," replied his
PARSHAT BO
IS SLAVERY A TORAH VALUE?
JANUARY 30-31, 2009/ 6 SHEVAT 5769
As the Jews are leaving Egypt, God commands
them to sacrifice the Paschal lamb.
Following
that commandment, a
PARSHAT VAARA
THE GATEWAY TO THE SOUL IS THROUGH LOVE
JANUARY 23-24, 2009 / 28 TEVET 5769
On most occasions when the Torah states that God
issues a command, the details of the directive are
spelled out. Our portion offers an exception to the rule.
The text reads, "and the Lord
spoke to Moshe (Moses)"
PARSHAT SHEMOT
SENSITIVITY TO OTHERS WHEN
ENCOUNTERING GOD
JANUARY 16-17, 2009 / 21 TEVET 5769
Just before Moshe (Moses) sees the burning bush (sneh),
the Torah tells us that he leads his flock to the
farthest end (ahar) of
the desert.(Exodus 3:1)
PARSHAT VAYECHI
THE ROLE OF ANGER
JANUARY 9-10, 2009 / 14 TEVET 5769
Why does Yaacov (Jacob) in his blessings to Shimon
and Levi say that they will be scattered
amongst all of
Israel? (Genesis 49:7)??
PARSHAT VAYIGASH
THE COMPLEX NATURE OF FAMILY REUNION
JANUARY 2-3, 2009/ 7 TEVET 5769
In this week's reading, Yosef (Joseph) reveals
himself to his brothers
with the simple words?
PARSHAT MIKETZ - A CHANUKAH REFLECTION
SPIRIT: A NECESSARY COMPONENT OF TRUE STRENGTH
DECEMBER 26-27, 2008 / 30 KISLEV 5769
It is well known that on the first day of
Chanukah one candle is lit. On each
successive night, one
more is kindled.??
PARSHAT VAYESHEV
A CHANUKAH MESSAGE: NOT USURPING THE ROLES OF OTHERS
DECEMBER 19-20, 2008 / 23 KISLEV 5769
Chanukah celebrates the miracle of the Hasmonean
victory over the Syrian Greeks. What is forgotten
is that their dynasty did not last. Why not?
PARSHAT VAYISHLACH
THE SPIRITUAL CHALLENGE IS
GREATER THAN THE PHYSICAL
DECEMBER 12-13, 2008 / 16 KISLEV 5769
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 hisbrother Esav (Esau).
PARSHAT VAYETZE
TRANSFORMING THE IMPOSSIBLE INTO THE POSSIBLE
DECEMBER 5-6, 2008 / 9 KISLEV 5769
Although we are given a tremendous amount of
information about their lives, it is certain that not
every event in the lives of our matriarchs
and patriarchs is
mentioned in the Torah.
PARSHAT TOLDOT
RIVKAH?S EXAMPLE OF UNCONDITIONAL LOVE
NOVEMBER 28-29, 2008 / 2 KISLEV 5769
As Ya?akov (Jacob) leaves his parents? home at the
behest of his mother Rivka (Rebecca), the Torah
declares that Rivkah was the mother of
both
Ya?akov and Esav (Esau) (Genesis 28:5).
PARSHAT HAYEI SARAH
THE PARTICULAR IS THE ROAD TO THE UNIVERSAL
NOVEMBER 21-22, 2008 / 24 HESHVAN 5769
The two portions preceding this week's reading have
two distinct characteristics. The portion
of Lekh Lekha is
PARSHAT VAYERA
AN ALTERNATIVE VIEW OF THE BINDING OF ISAAC
NOVEMBER 14-15, 2008 / 17 HESHVAN 5769
Years back, a Hebrew Christian approached me, arguing
that his belief in Jesus had something to do with the
binding of Isaac story.?Jesus, he suggested, was
able to do what
Yitzhak (Isaac) could not.?
PARSHAT LEKH LEKHA
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SARAH AND AVRAHAM'S
JOURNEY TO EGYPT
NOVEMBER 7-8, 2008 / 10 HESHVAN 5769
What makes the story of Avraham (Abraham) and
Sarah going to Egypt important enough to be included
in the
Genesis narrative? (Genesis 12:10-20)
PARSHAT NOAH
DIVINE INTERVENTION IN THE LAND OF ISRAEL
OCOTBER 31-NOVEMBER 1, 2008/ 3 HESHVAN 5769
The picture of Noah's ark in children's books
with a giraffe neck up, hanging out of the
ark, speaks to a fundamental
question. How
did all the animals,
PARSHAT BEREISHIT
THE IMAGE OF GOD IN ALL OF US:
LESSONS AND CHALLENGES
OCOTBER 24-25, 2008/26 TISHREI 5769
While some maintain that the human being is only
physical form, the Torah, in one of its most
important sentences, insists that every person
is also created in the image
of God
"tzelem Elokim" (Genesis 1:26,27).
A TASTE OF TORAH IN HONOR OF SUKKOT
THE CRITICAL IMPORTANCE OF UNITY
OCTOBER 14-22, 2008/15-23 TISHREI 5769
There is a common thread throughout the
Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, Hoshanah Rabbah
and Simchat Torah festivals - a
thread
that binds our people.
PARSHAT HA'AZINU
THE MEANING OF TESHUVA
OCTOBER 10-11, 2008 / 12 TISHREI 5769
The central theme of Yom Kippur is teshuva,
commonly translated as "repentance." We hear
so much about this term, but
what, in fact
does it truly mean?
PARSHAT NITZAVIM
THE MEANING OF THE VOICE OF THE SHOFAR
SEPTEMBER 26-27, 2008 / 27 ELUL 5768
The portion Nitzavim, is replete with urgings to
return to God. A term which jumps from the text, is
one describing God's hope that we, the Jewish
people, would
hearken to His voice "li-shmoah be-kolo."
PARSHAT KI TAVO
THE DAYS OF AWE MIRROR THE
FINAL DAYS IN THE DESERT
SEPTEMBER 19-20, 2008 / 20 ELUL 5768
As the Jews prepare to enter Israel after 40 years of
desert migration, Moshe (Moses) reminds
them of the
miracles they have seen.
PARSHAT KI TETZE
THE AGUNAH PROBLEM IN PERSPECTIVE
SEPTEMBER 12-13, 2008/ 13 ELUL 5768
This week's portion touches upon the controversial issue of
spouses who refuse to
grant a Jewish divorce (get).
PARSHAT SHOFTIM
WAR IS A LAST RESORT
SEPTEMBER 5-6, 2008/ 6 ELUL 5768
This week's parsha discusses the issue of war and reveals
that war is only
undertaken as a last resort.
PARSHAT RE'EH
THE BASIC NEED FOR ORAL LAW
AUGUST 29-30, 2008/ 29 AV 5768
This week's portion according to many commentators,
including Rashi makes it clear that God's words to
the Jewish people were not all recorded
in the ones found
in the Torah.
PARSHAT EKEV
BOTH THE COLLECTIVE AND THE
INDIVIDUAL BRING REDEMPTION
AUGUST 22-23, 2008/ 22 AV 5768
This week's portion begins with the statement "Ve-hayah
ekev tishmeun et ha-mishpatim ha-eileh - and if you listen
to these laws" reward will come (Deuteronomy 7:12-15).
Since the common Biblical term for "if"
is "im,"
many commentators
PARSHAT VA-ETHANAN
TWO WORDS THAT ECHO THE MESSAGE OF SHABBAT
AUGUST 15-16, 2008 / 15 AV 5768
For the second time in the Torah, the Aseret Ha-Dibbrot
(The Ten Commandments, or more accurately translated
as the Ten Utterances) are
spelled out.
PARSHAT DEVARIM
DIFFERENT MODELS FOR MEMORY
AUGUST 8-9, 2008 / 8 AV 5768
The Book of Devarim begins with Moshe's reprimand
of the Jewish people as he
recalls the numerous places
PARSHAT MASEI
OUR PRISON SYSTEM SHOULD LEARN
FROM THE CITIES OF REFUGE
AUGUST 1-2 2008/ 1 AV 5768
According to the Torah, one who kills inadvertently,
escapes to the cities of refuge (arei miklat)
(Numbers 35:11). What is
the meaning of this law?
PARSHAT MATOT
ONE ACTION CAN MAKE ALL OF THE DIFFERENCE
JULY 25-26, 2008/ 23 TAMMUZ 5768
In this week's portion, Moshe (Moses) gives
to the tribe of Reuven, the tribe of Gad and
half of the tribe of Menasseh the entire Kingdom
of Og, ruler
of Bashan (Numbers 32:33).
PARSHAT PINCHAS
IS ZEALOTRY THE PATHWAY TO PEACE
JULY 18-19, 2008/ 16 TAMMUZ 5768
After Pinhas killed the Jewish man and Midianite
woman who were committing immoral acts, God applauds
Pinhas, granting him a "covenant
of peace
(brit shalom)" Numbers 25:12).
PARSHAT BALAK
THE COMING APART AND THE COMING TOGETHER:
OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE NATION OF MOAB
JULY 11-12, 2008/? TAMMUZ 5768
In this week's portion, Balak, King of Moab, hires
Bilaam to curse the nation of Israel. (Numbers 22:5,6)
A review of the history of Moab's
relationship
with Israel reveals a
PARSHAT HUKAT
KEEPING THE EGO IN CHECK
JULY 4-5, 2008 / 2 TAMMUZ 5768
In this week's portion Moses is told that he would
not enter Israel because he hit the rock instead of
speaking to it. Immediately afterwards,
Moses sends a
delegation to Edom
PARSHAT KORACH
TWO MODELS OF DEALING WITH COMMUNAL CRISIS
JUNE 27-28, 2008/ 25 SIVAN 5768
The story of Korach's rebellion contains echoes of
the golden calf narrative. Each involves
insurrection. In the golden calf
episode, the
Jews aspire to
PARSHAT SHELACH
THE MEANING OF THE TZITZIT
JUNE 20-21, 2008 / 18 SIVAN 5768
What is the purpose of wearing tzitzit, the ritual
fringes that are attached to the four cornered garment
mentioned in our parsha? (Numbers 15:37-41)
Several classic
answers come to mind.
PARSHAT BEHA'ALOTKHA
THE ENORMOUS IMPORTANCE
OF THE SPIRITUAL CONSCIOUSNESS
JUNE 13-14, 2008/ 11 SIVAN 5768
In this week's parsha, God tells Moshe (Moses) that a
person (ish) who is impure because of contact with a
dead body (tameh lanefesh) or too far away from
Jerusalem (derekh rekhoka) is
given a second chance to
YOM TOV FORSHPEIS
A TASTE OF TORAH IN HONOR OF SHAVUOT
ACTIONS INSPIRE LOVE
JUNE 8-10, 2008/ 6-7 SIVAN 5768
It was during the time of Shavuot that the Jews at Sinai
declared to God, "na'aseh ve-nishma, we will do and we will
listen (to the commandments)." (Exodus 24:7)? This order
is perplexing as one usually does the opposite, and
listens
before deciding to act.
PARSHAT BAMIDBAR
REDEEMING THE FIRSTBORN AS AN
OPPORTUNITY FOR SPIRITUAL COMMITMENT
MAY 30-31, 2008/ 26 IYAR 5768
The Torah, in this week's portion, alludes to the
redemption of the first born son. (Numbers 3:40-51)
Originally, the eldest son in each family was
designated to serve in the Temple.
After
the eldest in the family
PARSHAT BEHUKOTAI
THE ULTIMATE BLESSING IN LIFE
MAY 23-24, 2008/ 19 IYAR 5768
The blessings in the portion of Behukotai reach toward
their crescendo with the words "and I will walk among
you and will be your God, and you shall be My people."
(Leviticus 26:13)?This
penultimate gift that
PARSHAT BEHAR
STAYING CLOSE INFUSES LIFE
MAY 16-17, 2008 / 12 IYAR 5768
In this week's prophetic portion, Jeremiah prophesied
about the destruction of the First
Temple. God
commands Jeremiah to?
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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