Category
parsha
The cure for anger: Parashat Emor (Leviticus 21:1-24:23)
Jewish Journal
April 24, 2013
Life is not easy. In fact, at times it’s downright infuriating. Our natural tendency is to want to blame someone, and the easiest target is God. We may carry anger at HaShem for our entire lives. As a result, we miss out on decades of spiritual connectedness and comfort.
On equal footing: Parashat Mishpatim (Exodus 21:1-24:18)
Jewish Journal
February 6, 2013
I watched President Barack Obama’s second inauguration from the hospital room of my 92-year-old friend Harriet. She was having an EKG during it, even though we all agreed the numbers would not provide an accurate assessment of her condition — her medical condition, that is.
Opportunity of a setback: Parashat Bo (Exodus 10:1-13:16)
Rabbi Dov Fischer
January 16, 2013
This week’s parasha is one of the most central to the Jewish narrative. We read of the final plagues, the storm brought by God’s mighty hand and outstretched arm gathering on the border of Egypt, the Divine command to prepare for the Exodus by baking the matzot and eating the bitter herbs. It is the essence of the Passover story. Our greatest glory — Divine liberation — emanated from the nadir of our enslavement.
Are you awake?: Parashat Vaera (Exodus 6:2-9:35)
Jewish Journal
January 9, 2013
There is an old midrash to explain how Moshe discovered his Jewish identity and woke up to his calling as a teacher and prophet. Yocheved, Moshe’s mother, used to sing him lullabies and feed him familiar foods.
What is in a Name? Parashat Shemot (Exodus 1:1-6:1)
Jewish Journal
January 2, 2013
This week we begin a new book of Torah — Shemot in Hebrew and Exodus in English. While the word “exodus” means “going out,” the word “shemot” means “names.” So, it should not be surprising that we are sent through a maze of names and journeys in this week’s parasha.
Never alone: Parashat Vayetzei (Genesis 28:10-32:3)
Rabbi Dov Fischer
November 20, 2012
In this week’s parasha, Yaakov flees for his life, departing from Beersheva back to Charan — back to the beginning. How optimistic it had been when Avraham came to Israel two generations earlier, abandoning Charan presumably forever (Genesis 11:32-12:6). Avraham “went, took and passed.” He was journeying to a grand destiny on blessed land, where God promised he would become a great nation, blessed with wealth, with a name made great and famous.
Let Heaven and Earth Hear: Parashat Haazinu (Deuteronomy 32:1-32:52)
Jewish Journal
September 27, 2012
If each spoken word is a droplet of water, then each voice that utters is a wind that brings forth rain. Though, the wind has no shape. Though, water comes in all shapes and sizes. Though, no mortal power can divine the weather even a few days hence, and words turn patterns as surely as the wind turns seasons about the globe.
Here on Earth: Parashat Nitzavim (Deuteronomy 29:9-30:20)
Rabbi Yonah Bookstein
September 12, 2012
“The Torah that I am prescribing to you today is not too mysterious or remote from you. It is not in heaven … it is something that is very close to you” (Deuteronomy 30:11-13).
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