fbpx
Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe Bernhard

Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe Bernhard

Alike, But Different

The biological mystery of unlike offspring from the same parents is the challenge of parenting some children.

The Path for Growth

Some Torah portions lend themselves very easily to sermons. Yitro, which contains the giving of the Ten Commandments has lots of material about which to talk. Others are more challenging, like Tazria-Metzorah, which has extensive discussions about skin diseases, inflammations and rashes.

Divine Listening

This week\’s Torah portion begins with an issue that is a recurrent one for our foremothers — difficulty conceiving. As Sarah before her and Rachel after her, Rebecca has trouble getting pregnant. After her husband Isaac pleads with God, she does conceive. But the pregnancy is a painful one — so much so that Rebecca cries out with words to the effect of, \”Would that I did not exist!\” Out of this depth of despair she approaches God.

[authorpage]

More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.