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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

October 23, 2020 This week’s Torah portion, Noach (Genesis 6:9-11:32,) provokes many questions. Was EVERYTHING on the Earth that “corrupt” that it needed to be eradicated? By a flood, no…

October 16, 2020 A popular joke: One Yom Kippur the rabbi was warning the congregation about the fragility of life.  “One day everyone in this congregation is going to die,”…

October 9, 2020 There are two, fundamental stories that one can tell about the nature of time: In the first, most common in the ancient world, time is envisioned as…

October 2, 2020 These are tough times for everyone. Only a few days ago, we recited “who shall live and who shall die. This year we really feel our vulnerability…