Parashat Ha Shavua Commentaries

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...

Have you ever found yourself in the middle of a political, theological, legal or interpersonal disagreement with someone? Don't feel too bad - the rest of us have as well. Whether it's with a friend, a co-worker, a family member, or an acquaintance, each of us can think of times when we have gotten into heated arguments or debates. The Rabbis of the Talmud called such a disagreement a makhlokhet - a separation. Read more...

2011 Ordination Charge to the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies Ordinands Read more...

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to the Israelites: When a man or woman commits any wrong toward a fellow man, thus breaking faith with the Lord, and that person realizes his guilt, he shall confess the wrong that he has done. He shall make restitution in the principal amount and add one-fifth to it, giving it to him whom he has wronged. (Numbers 5:5-7) Read more...

We are now in the fourth week of what is known as the counting of the omer. This signals that we are about halfway between Passover and Shavuot, the next pilgrimage festival. Another way to look at this is that Passover celebrates the Exodus from Egypt and, according to rabbinic tradition, Shavuot celebrates the receiving of the Torah at Sinai-we are then halfway between Egypt and Sinai. This journey from Egypt to Sinai is arguably the defining narrative of the Jewish people. Read more...