One of the major debates in Jewish thought relates to the appropriateness of ascribing reasons for…
Purim Thoughts: Far, Far Away
The decree has been promulgated and publicized through the empire. 127 provinces have received “…
Vayikra: Come on In
Jewish etiquette – and law – teach that one should not enter one’s own home, how much more so the…
Pekudei: Remember the Count
"These are the accounts, pekudei, of the tabernacle, the tabernacle of testimony, as…
Vayakhel: Time to Meet
“Moshe gathered the entire congregation of Israel and said to them” (Shemot 35:1). It is extremely…
Ki Tissa: Time to Speak
Forty days after the most awesome event in history – G-d’s revelation to man - the Jewish people…
Tezaveh - Biblical Editing
The central theme of Sefer Shemot is the formation of the Jewish people as a nation. The…
Terumah - Soaring to the Heavens
Symbols play an important part in helping to define who we are. Our clothing, for example, is often…
Mishpatim: The Thief and the Robber
"Rabban Yocḥanan ben Zakkai’s students asked him: ‘For what reason was the Torah stricter with a…
Yitro: Who was at Sinai
What kind of book is the Torah and who is it meant for? Rashi begins his commentary to the Torah…
Beshalach: Great Expectations
Throughout the Exodus story, the Jewish people are silent. We do not know what they were thinking…
Vaeira: Yes Thank You
That man sins is part and parcel of being human. It is the basis of the most special day of the…
Shemot: No Thank You
“And Moshe was frightened and he said, behold the incident is known. And Pharaoh heard…
Vayechi: Joining the Covenant
The opening 11 chapters of Sefer Breisheet can be read as explaining why there was a need…
Vayigash: A Test of Leadership
It is clear already from the sale of Yosef, that Yehuda had leadership potential. It was he who…
Mikketz: Royal Politics
Yosef was a most charismatic person. He was young, attractive and as the Torah tells us on three…
Vayeishev: Yosef and Greece
The annual Torah reading cycle has us reading the story of Yosef during Chanukah[1]. While in most…
Vayishlach: He Was Afraid
“And Jacob was very frightened and distressed” (Breisheet 32:8). After some 22 years Yaakov Avinu…