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

Cantor-Rabbi Ronald D. Eichaker serves United Hebrew Congregation and is a member of the St. Louis Rabbinical and Cantorial Association, which coordinates the weekly d’var Torah for the Light.

D’var Torah: ‘Diseased words’ and the power to misshape the world

Cantor-Rabbi Ronald D. EichakerPublished June 30, 2022

Overheard at a store checkout line: “Ya know, I can predict the score of the next Cardinals game before the first pitch.” “You can make a ton of money betting on games. What’s the score?” “Zero to zero.” Let’s...

United Hebrew Congregation. Photo: Bill Motchan

Torah’s framework for constructive debate could help heal deeply divided society

CANTOR-RABBI RON EICHAKERPublished June 9, 2021

Not much is more disconcerting than members of one’s tribe engaging in passionately bitter and contentious arguments about leadership and hierarchy. “Who says you are the voice of this family? You don’t speak for me!” “Just because you had some...

Rabbi Brigitte Rosenberg of United Hebrew Congregation

Channel rebellion into positive ends

By Rabbi Brigitte RosenbergPublished July 5, 2019

In this week’s parashah, we meet Korach, for whom this parashah is named. He is Moses’ and Aaron’s first cousin and is known as a rebel, as he amassed 250 Israelites to join him in challenging the authority of Moses and Aaron.  Korach says to Moses...

D’var Torah: For Heaven’s Sake

BY RABBI BRAD HORWITZPublished June 22, 2011

When Korach and his two hundred fifty followers rebel against Moses in this week's Torah portion Korach says to Moses. "All the community are holy, all of them, and the Lord is in their midst.  Why then do you raise yourselves above the Lord's congregation?"...

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