May I have a word with you? The opening words of the fifth book of the Torah begin simply enough, "These are the words that Moses spoke (diber) to all Israel." The Rabbis of the ancient Midrash Sifre Devarim note that every place the Tanach uses the verb 'daber' indicates harshness or rebuke, whereas the Hebrew word 'amar' conveys a sense of praise. Read more...

"Eicha yashva badad, hair rabati am, haitai k'almana - Lonely sits the city, once great with people. She that was great among the nations has become like a widow". Read more...

Each Shabbat as we read the Haftorah, we can find a connecting theme that links it to that week’s Torah portion, illustrating why it was chosen to be read on that particular Shabbat.  This Shabbat, in addition to reading to Parashat Devarim, we also read a special Haftarah for which the Shabbat is given a special name, Shabbat Hazon (Shabbat of Vision), named for Isaiah’s prophetic vision in foretelling the destruction of the Temple.  There is an extra ordinary link between the two as they also share a commonality with the upcoming observance of Tisha B’Av – the Ninth of Av, on wh Read more...

The world can be a very scary place. Every time we pick up the morning’s paper, or turn on the television, the media provides us with more evidence of just how terrifying life can be. Fires raging out of control, brutal warfare abroad, incessant terrorist attacks, and gangs and criminals terrorizing our streets, illness, death, unemployment, and a host of more private sorrows are   the constant companions of the living. There isn’t a person alive who hasn’t tasted the bitterness of disappointment and of tragedy. We are all wounded by the simple act of staying alive. Read more...

I remember a regular spring ritual when I was still a congregational rabbi. The event took place on a Sunday morning, as I and thirty eager people would drive down to Laguna Beach. Not to play volleyball, and not to bask in the glorious California sunshine. Our purpose was much more sacred and venerable than all that. These 30 people were among the 100 students who had completed my Introduction to Judaism class, and were now intent on converting to Judaism. Read more...