Parashat Ha Shavua Commentaries

Today is a day of mourning. For the past two years Jews around the world have hoped, fought, prayed, and cried in agony waiting for the safe return of its captured soldiers, Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser. They returned home today-not safe or alive-but in coffins. In this moment, when no words can possibly bring the comfort their friends and families deserve, the ancient wisdom of Proverbs 13:12 hits too close to home: "Hope drawn out sickens the heart..." Read more...

Growing up experiencing moments when I was forbidden to do something that at that time seemed unacceptable, I would challenge my mother: "But why..." Her classic response was "Do you want me to write you a letter?!" as if telling me that what she said should be sufficient. But I always wondered what that letter would say. How would she explain reality differently, or perhaps, how would I experience reality differently. Read more...

Jews understand that ours is a religion that celebrates life. Our toast at a simcha, L’Hayim! means “To Life!” and it expresses the love of this life that our faith inculcates. God said that creation is tov me’od, very good, and we Jews affirm God’s judgment by celebrating the gift of life each day and every moment. Read more...

We live in an age that is afraid of compassion. During election season, our politicians compete with each other to demonstrate who is tougher, more hard-nosed, and less willing to make exceptions because of extenuating circumstances. Read more...

As a young child attending day camp at the local JCC, I had a counsellor who used to spend hours entertaining us with her ability to catch grasshoppers mid-jump. She would scoop them up by two of their legs and hold them up, showing off their stomachs. Hands quick enough to catch the hoppers were certainly noteworthy, but what fascinated me even more was the long springboard-like bounce of the jumping grasshoppers whose ability to keep jumping would certainly have surpassed the commercial energizer bunny. Read more...