Noah was called a tzaddik – a righteous soul in his generation. The classic question commentators ask is “was he righteous just compared to the people of his generation who were considered corrupt, extremists and violent? Or, was he as… Read More »
Remember with love – and celebrate! My Yizkor sermon on Shmini Atzeret (Thursday morning) will build on what Elie Wiesel told world Jewry about Simhat Torah during the war. When asked about celebrating this unique holiday right after the Holocaust… Read More »
Dear Or Zarua, Moses called to all the elders and leaders of the tribes, as well as those appointed with the tasks of being teachers and the community patrol. The Torah then adds these words intentionally, “…the women, the children,… Read More »
God brought our ancestors to a “Land of Milk and Honey.” There are different interpretations of that descriptive phrase. Got milk? We might imagine the Children of Israel with herds of goats – the source of dairy for wanderers in… Read More »
Let’s bring in Shabbat together with an hour of praying, singing, remembering loved ones and raising a glass afterwards at our Oneg. Services are at 6:15pm. What a delight to be together with friends to welcome the Sabbath. Tomorrow we… Read More »
We are family; this Shabbat let’s join together to mark a time of renewal and to unify our hearts to find comfort and to gain strength. The news from Israel was devastating this past week. As the families of the… Read More »
D’VAR TORAH for SHABBAT EKEV This week’s parsha, Ekev, begins with a unique phrase in Hebrew: “If you will heed…” “Ekev tishmaun…” (Deuteronomy 7:12). The word “ekev” is translated as “if” but it makes more sense if we translate it:… Read More »
A Letter From Israel – Shabbat Vayakhel 5784 “M’ha’Shvi’i – Since the Seventh” Dear OZ, I’m writing from Israel where — depending on the experience of those you encounter, how you steer your heart and direct your mind it —… Read More »
“Table for Five” is a post-denominational round-up of Torah commentaries that appears in Los Angeles’ Jewish newspaper, and every few weeks I have a new commentary that appears in the section. My entry for this week, a commentary on Tetzaveh, … Read More »
Click HERE for my commentary on this week’s parsha that was published in the LA Jewish Journal and on the Accidental Talmudist Website. “Table for Five” is a post-denominational round-up of Torah commentaries that appears in Los Angeles’ Jewish newspaper,… Read More »