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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. 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