Parashat Ha Shavua Commentaries

There is a moment in the traditional liturgy of the seder in which Jews would open their doors and literally shout angry words at their enemies: " Sh'foch ha-Matcha... May God pour out His wrath on them!" I have never included these lines in my Passover, but this year, I was sorely tempted. I wanted to open the door and yell with anger. I wanted to rage. Read more...

Each year, a few days before each of my children's birthdays, a package arrives at the door from Louise, my former congregant. Inside the package are two wrapped presents - one to the child whose birthday is coming and one to the sibling. The present for the birthday child has a card saying "Happy Birthday" from Louise and the present to the sibling has a card which says "Happy Un-Birthday" from Louise. The "un-birthday" present is typically small in size - such as alphabet stamps or a book - but its impact on my family has been immense. Read more...

I grew up thinking that the Bible consisted only of stories – Adam and Eve, Abraham, Sarah, Joseph, the Exodus from Egypt, the giving of the Torah at Sinai.  So, as I got older and started studying more of the bible, it was hard when the cycle of Torah reading reached the point of the year that we begin this Shabbat.  This week, we start reading the book of Vayikra, the book of Leviticus.  Except for the brief narrative describing the death of Nadav and Avinu who offered up their unauthorized incense, much of the book is consumed with technical details about sacrifices that w Read more...

The Lord spoke to Moses: See, I have singled out by name Bezalel, son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. I have endowed him with a divine spirit of skill, ability, and knowledge in every kind of craft...and I have also granted skill to all who are skillful, that they may make everything that I have commanded you.  (Exodus 31:1-6) Read more...

When was the last time you said this to someone you love? When was the last time someone you love said this to you? And what did you mean when you said it? And how did you feel when you heard it being said to you? Who are those people in your life that this sentence could even be a viable exchange between you? Read more...