There are a lot of mitzvot mentioned in this week’s Torah portion, Ki Teitzei – 72 to be exact. The range of topics is staggering: from treatment of prisoners of
Read moreThis week’s parasha, Shoftim, contains the powerful phrase, “Justice, justice, shall you pursue.”
Read moreThis week’s parasha is Re’eh, (“see”) and begins, “See, this day I set before you blessing and curse: blessing, if you obey the commandments of Adonai your God that I
Read moreThis week’s parasha, Eikev, includes these words of caution: “When you have eaten your fill, give thanks to Adonai your God for the good land that God has given you….[When
Read moreHis smile lights up the place. His name is Feivel and “the place” is Cafe Sunflower & Bakery, which recently opened in the lobby of The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington’s
Read moreThis week’s parasha is the first in the Book of Deuteronomy. Devarim – “words” – is the same Hebrew name for Deuteronomy. Moses begins his long and final sermon to the People
Read moreI made a shiva call recently, at which the mourners were figuratively – and literally – embraced by dozens of community members. I recalled that image while reading this week’s
Read moreThis week’s parasha, Pinchas, describes the devastating news that Moses receives from God that he will not be allowed to enter the Promised Land. After all that he had done to lead the
Read moreI was a Surfer Dude. For about 20 minutes. In Israel. Surely this requires an explanation. I was in Israel this week for meetings of the Board of Governors of The Jewish
Read moreI hate hate. We read with horror the attack of a lone gunman on congregants in the historic African-American Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC, resulting in 9 deaths. It
Read more