Every Torah portion is named after its first significant word, and every name conveys something important about the portion. Sometimes the name comes from the literal first word of the portion (like “B’reishit,” meaning “in a beginning”), and other times it’s a few words in. Often the word is a verb, sometimes an important noun, Continue Reading »
This past week, all of us were shocked by yet another assassination of a political leader: Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old conservative activist who galvanized millions of people and had a lasting effect on American politics. The loss of his life is tragic. In Parshat N’tzavim, which we read this Shabbat and also on Yom Kippur Continue Reading »
In early August, I traveled to Tel Aviv, as a participant in a week-long seminar for American clergy. Primarily, we were there to meet with and learn from our counterparts in the Israeli Reform Movement, and to meet with a wide variety of people in Israeli society engaged in peacebuilding and pro-democracy work. It was Continue Reading »
In Parshat Re’eh, Moses makes his last speech to the people as they prepare to enter the Land of Israel. His speech stretches from some of the most essential aspects of Judaism, such as helping the needy, to the most detailed, such as kashrut (the dietary restrictions of keeping kosher). He also makes a fascinating Continue Reading »
On this Shabbat we read Parashat Eikev, the third parasha of Devarim or Deuteronomy. The portion is a continuation of Moses’ speech to the Israelites as they stand ready to enter the land of Israel. They are reminded that they must keep God’s commandments in order to find life meaningful and fulfilling. They are reminded Continue Reading »
During a month in which we digest a season of court challenges and rulings affecting everything from individual rights to the powers of our country’s leaders, it is instructive to recall the story in this week’s Torah portion about an early challenge to the rules, by an unlikely group of vulnerable community members. In the Continue Reading »
It seems every day I turn on the news, I hear about more change. We are in unchartered territory in our American life where what many of us thought were the norms for many years have changed. Our country is very divided with those who are happy with the changes and those who are not. Continue Reading »
In this week’s Torah portion, we encounter a difficult moment in the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness. The following scene unfolds between Korach and his followers (a group of 250 individuals,) and the leaders of the Israelites- Moses and Aaron in Numbers Chapter 16, verse 3: וַיִּֽקָּהֲל֞וּ עַל־מֹשֶׁ֣ה וְעַֽל־אַהֲרֹ֗ן וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ אֲלֵהֶם֮ רַב־לָכֶם֒ כִּ֤י כׇל־הָֽעֵדָה֙ כֻּלָּ֣ם Continue Reading »
If I asked you to name the three most important holidays in Judaism after the High Holy Days, you might list Passover, Sukkot, and Chanukah. You would be two for three! Chanukah is a minor festival and not even in the Torah. This weekend (Sunday evening) we celebrate one of the major festivals in the Continue Reading »
Parshat Sh’mini signifies very beginning of Jewish practice. The Tabernacle is finished and ready for its first ceremony. As part of their ordination, the priests have been confined to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting for seven days. On yom hash’mini, the eighth day, they finally offer their first sacrifice. Then, they and the Continue Reading »
