Parashat Ha Shavua Commentaries

Are We Commanded Or Are We Free? In our own age, the question of whether or not Jews are obligated by the practices and values of our religion is one which has divided our people into separate camps.   Read more...

  Over the last several millennia, humanity has developed a large and growing body of profound writings, words which encapsulate the hopes, aspirations and potential of the human soul.  Across the globe, religious traditions rightly exult in the majesty and depth of their sacred writings: the Bagavad-Gita, the Rig-Veda, the Dammapada, the Tao Te Ching, the Iliad, these are the spiritual heritage of humanity, a crowning glory of literary art and religious passion.   Read more...

What is the proper emotional attitude to take toward God?  In our day, as in the past, religious human beings divide into two general camps.  Some argue that we must fear and venerate God, while others stress the need to love God.   Read more...

Conscience: A Still Small Voice.   Every Jew knows the Sh'ma, the biblical declaration of God's unity, which the Rabbis of the Talmud used as a pledge of allegiance.  "Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord alone."  This verse signified an acceptance of God's sovereignty over each individual Jew.   Read more...

The definition of what is "religious" shifts throughout the ages.   Read more...