Parashat Ha Shavua Commentaries

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...

It seems obvious that striking back at an enemy is a gratifying but lower response than forgiving the trespass in the first place.  A person who is able to overlook having been wronged demonstrates a higher form of moral sensitivity, by setting priorities that preclude a need to get back at someone else. That line of reasoning was given its classical formulation in the Christian Scripture, with the mandate to "turn the other cheek."  If someone slaps you on one side of the face, rather than slapping back, simply offer your other cheek to be slapped. Read more...

The Torah, Rambam insists, is based on the idea of human freedom – were we not free to choose our future, to determine our own actions, then the idea of giving us commandments would make no sense, and rewarding or punishing us for our fidelity to God’s ideals would be morally and logically preposterous. For the great Medieval rabbi, human freedom is woven into the very fabric of creation. Read more...

A poignant episode of The West Wing (“Constituency of One”) highlights Josh Lyman, Deputy Chief of Staff for the Bartlet Administration, for being heralded by a major newspaper as the “101st Senator”. Lyman, a master advocate for the President’s agenda, gains recognition for his ability to influence Congress single-handedly on almost any given issue. As an accomplished campaigner and activist, he deserves this overdue attention, right? But Josh’s co-workers and superiors reacted negatively to the story. 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...