29th of Av, 5775 – This week’s Torah portion Re’eh has a one word title. The title opens a series of observations set forth by Moses as he concludes his life’s work. Reading this week’s Torah portion and the entire book of Deuteronomy as an ethical will lends gravitas to the moment. Indeed the book is divided […]
Do the teachings about the Temple (Beit HaMikdash) and the Exile (Galut) Remain Relevant?
Shabbat Devarim/Tisha B’Av, 5776 August 12-13 2016 – This coming Shabbat is the 9th Day of Av, Tisha b-Av. The Shabbat’s Torah reading is the opening of Moses’ oration encompassing most of the book Deuteronomy (Devarim). We will focus on this book next week. Our focus this week is on the “black fast.” This solemn commemoration […]
Pinchas
July 29th, 2016/23 Tammuz 5776 – Pinchas is an extremely problematic figure. The Jewish tradition developed several radically different approaches in teaching about this Torah portion. To bring you up to date. At the end of last week’s Torah portion Pinchas acts as judge, jury, and executioner. In his righteous indignation he kills a prince of […]
The Immutable: A Mystery of Transformation in the Face of Death
Parashat Chukat 9th and 10th of Tammuz, 5776; July 15 and 17, 2016 – This week’s Torah portion Chukat (Numbers 19:1 to 21:1) is a rich trove of paradoxical challenges. Understanding this Torah portion led our sages into new depths of textual and conceptual ingenuity. At the center of this Torah portion is the arational ritual of […]