Infertility is a common thread in the Torah and in later Biblical books. Three of our four matriarchs struggle to conceive a child, as do women such as Hannah and Manoah’s unnamed wife. All of these stories seem to have happy endings, but Rahel’s case ends in tragedy. Last week, in Parshat Vayeitzei, Rahel is Continue Reading »
Esav has come home from the hunt, and all he wants is something to eat. He sees his twin brother, Ya’akov, cooking lentil stew, and demands some. Ya’akov, wily from the womb, asks for the birthright in return. Esav’s answer is remarkable: “I am at the point of death, so of what use is the Continue Reading »
It has been said that the pivotal moment in our tradition’s history was when Avraham began to negotiate with God over the fate of the righteous people in Sodom. “Far be it from You to do such a thing like this, to kill virtuous with wicked…far be it from You. Will the judge of all Continue Reading »
When we say at the seder that “My father was a wandering Aramean–Arami oved avi“–we might be referring to our very first father, Avram. At the end of last week’s Torah portion, we met him, and he is almost immediately on the move, leaving Ur of the Chaldeans on his way to Haran. Of course, his travels Continue Reading »
“When the woman saw that the tree was good for eating and a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable as a source of wisdom, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave some to her husband, and he ate” (Genesis 3:6). What kind of fruit was it? It’s Continue Reading »
Do you ever feel that all of your hard work is for naught? Do you ever ruminate on the reality that no matter how much you accumulate, you can’t take it with you? Do you lay awake at night worrying? If the answer to any or all of these questions is “yes,” then chapter Continue Reading »
Before delving into this coming Shabbat’s readings, I want to express my gratitude to our community for such a meaningful start to 5779. It is a privilege to pray, learn, and connect with you on these most holy days. As promised, here are some video clips of the songs I referenced in my Yom Continue Reading »
Teshuvah–repentance. It’s one of the most important concepts in all of Judaism, but you won’t find it in the Torah. Well, that’s not entirely true; in this week’s Torah portion, Nitzavim, we read the following: “When all these things befall you…and you take them to heart amidst the various nations to which the LORD your God Continue Reading »
The Torah demands of us that we be generous. Does it expect us to extend our generosity to the point where it becomes detrimental, both to the giver and the recipient? Consider this hypothetical situation: you are walking on Broadway, and you encounter a person who is clearly stricken with both poverty and drug addiction. Continue Reading »
When you think of the great leaders of ancient Israel, the list would surely include at least a few kings: David, Solomon, Hezekiah, among others. Of course, there are no Israelite kings in the Torah, and the only mention of a future Israelite king appears this week, in Parshat Shoftim. It’s the passage where the Torah Continue Reading »
