Category: Torah Portions
THE JEWISH STATE MUST REMAIN JEWISH
The world has reacted with outrage to the legislation passed this week in Israel that... Read More
THE IN’S AND OUT’S OF REBUKE
The Book of Devarim (Deuteronomy) begins with a phrase the Talmudic sages interpret to mean... Read More
THE IMPORTANCE OF APPRECIATING OUR PAST
Earlier this week, a large group attended the final lecture in my spring/summer Jewish History... Read More
UNRAVELING THE INTRODUCTORY VERSE
The first two verses in the portion of Mattot are confounding. Why are the leaders... Read More
THE SECRET ABOUT TEACHERS WHO INSPIRE
Most of us have heard the quote from writer William Arthur Ward: “The mediocre teacher... Read More
THE DAUGHTERS OF TZELOFCHAD
One of the most curious episodes in the Torah is the appearance of the daughters... Read More
THE MYSTERIOUS INCLUSION OF BALAAM’S WORDS IN OUR PRAYERS
Upon entering the synagogue each morning for prayers we intone the words first uttered by... Read More
BEING NICE TO THE BAD GUYS IS WORTH A TRY
This week we witnessed momentous and unprecedented scenes in Singapore, as the president of the... Read More