Skip to Main Content
A nonprofit, independent news source to inform, inspire, educate and connect the St. Louis Jewish community.

St. Louis Jewish Light

A nonprofit, independent news source to inform, inspire, educate and connect the St. Louis Jewish community.

St. Louis Jewish Light

A nonprofit, independent news source to inform, inspire, educate and connect the St. Louis Jewish community.

St. Louis Jewish Light

Parshah cautions against danger of arrogance, ignorance

By Rabbi Daniel PlotkinPublished June 16, 2010

The Haftarah for the Torah portion of Chukat serves as the introduction of one of the most disturbing stories in the entire Tanakh. Linking from the negotiations between Moses and some of the various people in the land, the Haftarah describes negotiations...

Seeing ‘God’s back’ is easy for those who know where to look

BY RABBI DANIEL PLOTKINPublished February 20, 2008

After the incident of the Golden Calf at Mt. Sinai, Moses is shaken. While he has not lost his faith in God, he feels that he needs reassurance after the actions of the people who were supposed to be dedicated in a covenant to God. He asks to see God's...

Active Judaism is better than passive Judaism

BY RABBI DANIEL PLOTKINPublished August 7, 2007

This is not an article for those considering conversion to Judaism, although all are welcome to read. This is an article for the rest of us who, by nature of the society in which we live, are either Jews by choice or Jews by chance. Parshat Re'eh has...

KEEPING THE SPIRITUAL FIRE BURNING IS ESSENTIAL

BY RABBI DANIEL PLOTKINPublished April 3, 2006

One of the difficulties for rabbis, especially those serving congregations, at this time of year is leading our regular Torah study sessions. The beginning of the book of Leviticus can be perceived as difficult: a detailed explanation of the differing...

Load More Stories