Is every mitzvah, every commandment equally important? In some sense, of course — if we understand God as the source of mitzvot, commandments, then every mitzvah is an equal opportunity to obey or disobey God and God’s will for us. And plus,...
By Rabbi Andrea Goldstein
• Published February 27, 2020
Just two short weeks ago, in Parashat Yitro, we read of the revelation at Mt. Sinai. Each Israelite – rich and poor, young and old, female and male – experienced the reality of the Presence of God in their lives. Then last week, in Parashat Mishpatim,...
BY RABBI JOSEF DAVIDSON
• Published February 20, 2020
As a child, I used to watch the Tennessee Ernie Ford show on television every week. I loved his deep, resonant, baritone voice, and the songs that he sang were about everyday people and situations. One of my favorite songs of his was “Sixteen Tons.”...
By Rabbi Scott Slarskey
• Published February 13, 2020
D’VAR TORAH — Parashat YitroAs a Jewish educator, it is not uncommon to think about or to discuss with colleagues what it is specifically that make Jewish education Jewish. Is it the “chosen” content or the identity/ideology of the teacher? Are...
By Rabbi-Cantor Ronald D. Eichaker
• Published February 6, 2020
D’VAR TORAH — BeshalachThe Book of Exodus 13:17 begins with two words: “Vay’hi b’shalach” – “And it came to be with the letting go…” (of the People [Israelites] by Pharaoh). Of all the words found in Parashat B’shalach (Exodus 13:17-17:16)...
Rabbi James Stone Goodman
• Published January 30, 2020
D’VAR TORAH — On Parashat BoWhy not make the best of it? Why not take a nice place in the country when it gets too hot in the city, a nice chariot might carry us away when we need to get away. That could work. Why not open a little business in the...
This week’s parasha begins with a communication breakdown. In its opening lines, G-d shares something fantastic with Moses: G-d has remembered the Israelites and is going to take them out of slavery. Wonderful news! Time for the Israelites to rejoice...
BY RABBI ELIZABETH HERSH
• Published January 16, 2020
This Torah portion addresses a quintessential experience in our collective Jewish history. It is a powerful scenario of a reluctant leader and of God’s presence in our lives. It is an example of a different form of prayer. Humility and responsibility....
By Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose
• Published January 9, 2020
This coming Shabbes, we will draw our public reading of Sefer Bereshit to a close as we read the final section of the Book of Genesis known as Parashat Vayechi. As with so many of the parshiot in the first of our five books of the Torah, there are so...
BY RABBI SCOTT SHAFRIN
• Published January 2, 2020
As we come to the end of the year, it can be tempting to focus on setting goals, creating resolutions, and imagining dreams for the year ahead. But all too often, we fall short of these goals and end up frustrated, whether we want to move ahead in our...
BY CANTOR-RABBI RONALD D. EICHAKER
• Published December 27, 2019
In the words and music of Jewish composers, Edward (Eddie) Pola and George Wyle (Bernard Weissman) in 1963, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!” This is true for so many people, but for some, it can be the most confusing and challenging time...
BY RABBI ADAM BELLOWS
• Published December 19, 2019
Interrupting the Joseph cycle in Genesis is an account of one of his brothers, Judah. In Genesis 38, we read of Judah’s marriage to the unnamed daughter of a merchant with whom he conceives three sons. For his eldest son, Er, he provides a wife named...
