23 Shevat 5781

February 5, 2021 “The entire people responded together and said, ‘Everything that God has spoken we will do!’” (Ex. 19.8) With these words from this week’s portion, Yitro (Exodus 18:1-20:23),…

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24 Tevet 5781

January 8, 2021 This week’s Torah portion, Shemot (Exodus 1:1-6:1), is the beginning of the second book. Exodus; and the story of Moses’ beginning as a leader for the Jewish…

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17 Tevet 5781

January 1, 2021 Happy New Year! This whole New Year thing, it really leaves me very confused and filled with mixed emotions. We become very reflective, as we look back…

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10 Tevet 5781

December 25, 2020 This week’s Torah portion, Vayigash (Genesis 44:18-47:27) has a beautiful phrase, “His soul is bound to his soul.” (44:30) In the dramatic scene when Judah is pleading…

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3 Tevet 5781

December 18, 2021 The entire story of Joseph, which spans three Torah portions in the latter third of the Book of Genesis, centers around dreams: their interpretation and the actions…

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25 Kislev 5781

December 11, 2020 There is an interesting moment in this week’s Torah portion, Vayeshev (Genesis 37:1-40:23), during Joseph’s search for his brothers. Initially, Joseph seeks them in Shechem, where Jacob…

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12 Kislev 5781

November 27, 2020 We find in this week’s portion. Vayetzei (Genesis 28:10-32:3), Jacob working in the home of his uncle Laban, working hard to win the hand of his beloved…

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5 Kislev 5781

November 20, 2020 There are things in life we all take for granted: the roof over our head; food on the table; the privilege of participating in our political process—we…

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27 Cheshvan 5781

November 13, 2020 Last Shabbat, former chief rabbi of Great Britain, Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, died. With his death, some have stated that a great voice, a brilliant mind and…

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13 Cheshvan 5781

October 30, 2020 The opening words of this week’s Torah portion, Lech-Lecha (Genesis 12:1- 17:27); God appears to Abraham and says: leave your land, your birthplace, your parents’ home, and…

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