Parashat Ha Shavua Commentaries

In our studies during the second semester we looked at Rabbinic sources from the Gemara, the halacha / the code of law, and even some Chassidic sources that dealt with models of leadership. It was a means for us to understand how we stand in the world as rabbis, and what the strengths and challenges of the multiple paradigms are. It was also an opportunity for us to look at ourselves and question 'how is it that we, individually, see our path in leadership?' Read more...

Toward the end of Parashat Behar, the section of the Torah that we read this coming Shabbat, the Torah speaks of our need to redeem Israelites who, due to their poverty, put themselves into slavery. And these specific commands are quite consistent with the Torah's commandments elsewhere. God says, "For it is to Me that the Israelites are servants. They are My servants, whom I freed from the Land of Egypt, I, the Holy One, your God (Lv 25:55)." Read more...

Some years ago, I was talking with one of my brothers about the plans I had with my mother for Mother's Day. Knowing from his tone and body language that he was about to be contrary for the sake of being contrary, I listened as he said something like 'Now, I am not saying we shouldn't celebrate it, but why do Jews need Mother's day? Read more...

Several years ago, at the end of Sukkot, I cut open one of our etrogim and extracted a number of seeds. These I planted in pots and in several places around our yard. Thanks to the help of our friend, Ruth, who has the greenest thumb of anyone I know - and no intervention of my own, my thumb being not at all green - several of the potted seeds sprouted and began to grow. This spring, again under Ruth's guidance, the gardeners replanted the two tallest trees, one in our backyard and one out front of our house. So far, both seem to be happy in their new locations. Read more...

All three sources of our readings this Shabbat speak of rebirth. First, the Torah reading: You shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread - eating unleavened bread for seven days, as I have commanded you - at the set time of the month of spring (Aviv), for in the month of spring (Aviv) you went forth from Egypt. Every first issue of the womb is Mine...(Exodus 34:18-19) Then consider the Haftarah reading: Read more...