Category: Torah Portions
THE MYSTERY OF THE FIRST SHABBAT
Sometime in the eighteenth century, a group of Russian-Orthodox Christians revolted against the strict hierarchical... Read More
PHARAOH’S ROLE IN THE EXODUS
The portion of Beshalach begins with a negative introductory word — “vayehi” — and then... Read More
TURNING PHYSICAL REDEMPTION INTO SPIRITUAL REDEMPTION
Earlier this week, in the final lecture of this season’s Jewish History series at my... Read More
IF YOU WANT SOMETHING DONE PROPERLY
The Midrash is adamant that the final act of the Exodus from Egypt was executed... Read More
GIVE ME YAVNEH AND ITS SCHOLARS
Some weeks ago, I hosted Melanie Phillips for dinner at my home. Although Melanie and... Read More
EXODUS, BUT BY WHOSE MIGHTY HAND?
In the preamble to Parshat Va’era, God assures Moses that the Israelites will be freed... Read More
BACKS TO THE WALL
As the row over President Trump’s border wall gathers pace, with thousands of Central Americans... Read More
AN EDUCATION IN JEWISH EDUCATION
You will probably have heard about the controversy over general studies at Orthodox Jewish day... Read More