Ours is a society that almost worships titles. When foreign royalty visits America, the newscasters televise the thousands of Americans who wait for hours to fall on their knees for a king, a queen, or a prince. When the talking heads of radio or television want an authoritative fix on a current issue, they interview someone with a Ph.D., trusting the title to give the comments added weight and authority. When we need advice about children, we tend to ask someone with letters after their name, whether or not they have been personally involved in raising children. Read more...

In this week's Torah portion, Va’Yehiy, we complete the reading of the book of Genesis, meeting Jacob on his death bed, surrounded by his children.  Having asked Joseph to take care of the details of his burial and ensure that he will be buried in Israel, Jacob summons his twelve sons, prepared to share final words with his children.  Clearly a man with things on his mind and desire to share them, Jacob calls to his children saying:  'Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the end of days. Read more...

Each of us is a greater theologian than we can possibly know.  In the ways we treat each other, in the ways parents raise children, in the way that lovers protect their beloved, we transmit profound and intangible lessons about the reality of the world.  Take, for example, the baby who wakes up screaming.  The parent who gets up in the dark to cradle the child teaches—without words—that when we cry out, there will be someone to cradle us.  Most children have the luxury of parents and relatives who can offer them comfort.  But who is there to comfort the adults?&nbsp Read more...

In this week's Torah portion, Vayechi, we complete the reading of the book of Genesis, meeting Jacob on his death bed, surrounded by his children.  Having asked Joseph to take care of the details of his burial and ensure that he will be buried in Israel, Jacob summons his twelve sons, prepared to share final words with his children.  Clearly a man with things on his mind and desire to share them, Jacob calls to his children saying:  'Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the end of days. Read more...

Immune to despair, the twentieth century has been one of the greatest disappointments in human history. More people died in warfare in this century than in all others combined. Racial hatred rose to unprecedented heights. Despotism plunged to new depths of ruthlessness and efficiency. Epidemics, illiteracy and bigotry -- our inheritance from times past -- continued throughout these tragic years. Our environment began to crumble. Democracy forgot that it was to be humanity's last, greatest hope -- whether a nation conceived in liberty could long endure. Read more...