This week’s parasha is the first portion of the Book of Leviticus. Vayikra – “and God called” – appears somewhat archaic with its focus on the gory details of different types
Read moreThis week’s Torah portion stands in stark contrast to last week’s story, in which we witnessed the Israelites’ greatest act of disloyalty to God: building and worshipping a Golden Calf. In
Read moreMore than 175 years ago, Scottish-born philosopher Thomas Carlyle published “Heroes and Hero Worship,” a set of lectures he gave in 1840, arguing that individuals, not history per se, are
Read more“True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.” – C.S. Lewis This week’s parasha, Tetzaveh, is distinguished not by what it contains, but rather,
Read moreThis week’s parasha – Terumah – contains extraordinarily detailed instructions on the construction of the mishkan, the dwelling for God. “Make Me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them,” said
Read more“When the world is divided, let us do the opposite thing and show that we are united.” – Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks In the wake of anti-Semitic acts across the
Read moreThis week’s parasha, Mishpatim, begins with ve’eleh hamishpatim (AND these are the rules). In last week’s Torah portion, the Children of Israel received The Ten Commandments, the first of the laws
Read moreThis week’s parasha is Yitro, named after Moses’ father-in-law (one of only six Torah portions named after a central character). The portion contains powerful Cecil B. DeMille-like imagery, including thunder,
Read moreThis week’s parasha is Beshallah, the fourth portion in the Book of Exodus. After leaving Egypt and escaping toward the Sea of Reeds, Moses gets his first glimpse of the
Read moreWhen they were younger, my kids asked that I leave a light on in the hallway so they could “sleep better.” Darkness for children – and for many adults – can
Read more