One of the fundamental issues of debate amongst observant Jews regards the degree of openness with which one meets the surrounding culture. Should we…
Lech Lecha: In Defence of Terach
Our rabbis famously debate the righteousness of Noach. Was he a tzadik only relative to the corrupt society in which he lived, or was his…
Noach: Defending Noach
For years, psychologists have debated the impact of the environment (nurture) on the development of human beings. Can we be inherently changed by…
Breisheet: Sin and Sinning
The holidays of Tishrei—with their emphasis on sin, repentance, reconciliation, and joy—are behind us. It is time to get back to our “normal”…
V'zot HaBracha: From G-d to Man
When writing a book, a good author will introduce the major themes of the book in the opening chapters, develop these and other secondary themes…
Vayelech: Poetic Licence
"Now, write for yourselves this song and teach it to the Israelites, so that this song will be a witness for the Israelites" (Devarim…
Nitzavim: Pass the Water
"You are standing this day all of you before the Lord your God: your heads, your tribes, your elders, and your officers, all the men of Israel…
Ki Tavo: Speak Up
One of the key aspects of our being created in the Divine image is the gift of speech. As the world was created with ten Divine utterances (Avot 5:1…
Ki Teitzei: On The Way
Until modern times, travel was viewed as something best avoided. It was slow, uncomfortable, and often quite dangerous. Our rabbis even instituted a…
Shoftim: Nothing to Fear
The basic duty of every government is to provide security and protect its citizens from both internal criminal activity and external enemies. Parshat…
Eikev: A Long Journey
"According to the days that you spent exploring the land, forty days, a year for a day, you shall carry your sin and you will know My actions…
VaEtchanan: Learning to Read
Our Torah encompasses all aspects of life: it regulates our existence from the day we are born until the day we die, and from the moment we awake…
Devarim: Equality for All
With old age comes knowledge of life that can only be gained by experience. Thus, Jewish law insists that all elders, even non-observant or non-…
Mattot: Split in Half
The centrality of the land of Israel is a basic tenet of Jewish thought. Our Sages note that mitzvot performed outside the land of Israel are little…
Balak: Fearless Leadership
Bilaam, the heathen prophet, recognized that the strength of the Jewish people was in their high level of modesty. “How goodly are your tents,…
Chukat: Marching On
Judaism is a religion that celebrates life. "Better one hour of repentance and good deeds in this world than the entire life of the world to…
Korach: No Unity Without Diversity
It is in times of crisis that effective leadership is most important—and the years spent wandering in the desert represented the first major…
Shelach Lecha: Confirmation Bias
How can two people witness the exact same events and yet offer two distinct and different reports? This question is one that jumps out as we examine…