Before God leveled the twin-sin-cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, God revealed the divine judgment to Abraham. Perhaps surprisingly for God, Abraham does not respond by meekly accept the decree. Quite the opposite, he instead initiates a lengthy debate on behalf of the doomed cities. Over and over he demands that God be absolutely sure that the innocent not be wiped out together with the guilty. In one of the most eloquent protests in history, Abraham cries out: “Will not the Judge of all the Earth act with Justice?!” (Gen. 18:25). Read more...

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As the admissions point person for the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, I am often asked by our perspective students, "What makes the Ziegler School special? How is it different from the other fine North American rabbinical schools?" After assuring these anxious rabbis-to-be that they can become scholars of Talmud and Torah wherever they choose to pursue their Rabbinic degree, and acknowledging that they will be able to acquire the practical skills of preachers and teachers elsewhere as well, I eventually share with these curious students what I think makes this institution unique. Read more...

Recently, I sat with someone who had just come out of a bout with serious illness. After the weeks and months of hospitalization, bed rest, medical therapy, my companion said to me: "Rabbi, all my life, I have been hesitant to visit people in the hospital or in their recovery. And, now after enduring my own health challenges, I now understand how misguided I have been. Because you see, Rabbi, I watched as my friends and even some of my family became me - how they hesitated and avoided visiting me in the hospital, or even at home." Read more...

VAYEIRA EILAV ADONAI B'EILONEI MAMREI V'HU YOSHEIV PETAH-HA'OHEL K'HOM HAYOM [The Lord appeared to him (Abraham) by the terebinths of Mamre; he was sitting at the entrance of the tent as the day grew hot.       (Genesis 18:1 - NJPS Translation)] Midrash teaches that Abraham often sat at the entrance to his tent, the better to observe from afar weary travelers in need of hospitality... In our day it is the rabbi who sits at the entrance to the tent of Jewish community... Read more...