Thoughts on Parashat Vaera

In our parasha for this week (Exodus 6:2–9:35), we encounter one of the Torah’s most profound explorations of human agency amid divine intervention. As God unleashes the first plagues upon Egypt to liberate the Israelites from bondage, Pharaoh’s response reveals a chilling dynamic: the hardening of his heart. The text alternates between Pharaoh hardening his own heart and God doing so, raising timeless questions about free will. Does divine involvement negate human choice? Or does it illuminate the consequences of our repeated decisions? Drawing from the wisdom of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, of blessed memory, in his Covenant & Conversation essays on this parasha—such as “Freewill” and “The Weighing of the Heart”—we can uncover a powerful message: while from the social and political perspective individual freedom is or should be a fundamental human right, this right does not guarantee it will become a reality. Our individual free will is a delicate capacity that can erode through our own actions, turning us into prisoners of our choices.[…]

Thoughts on Parashat Vayechi 5786

Today, I’m going to talk about something that is as timeless as the Torah itself – how nurturing our relationships, from marriages to friendships, can literally add years to our lives. Arguing with God, doctors, and relatives also can add years to our lives, and definitely keeps our mind sharp but that’s a topic for another drash. Today I will focus on relationships.

In Parashat Vayechi, the Book of Bereishit draws to a close with Yaakov on his deathbed at age 147, gathering his sons to bless them, settle old scores, and secure his legacy. Then we see Yosef, at 110, doing the same – preparing his own end and ensuring his bones return to the Promised Land. The numbers stand out: Avraham lived 175 years, Yitzchak 180, Yaakov 147, and Yosef – only 110. Why the decline?[…]

Thoughts on Parashat Miketz, 5786

There are moments in your life that are irrelevant in terms of their influence on your life journey in general. In these moments you are temporarily allowed to give up a lot of your power, even control over yourself, especially if you know that someone you love is around and will not only not betray you but will take care of you the best way she or he can. There are also moments that are pivotal for you and whatever you do or whatever decision you make at this particular moment will determine the path of the rest of your life. And because we are never certain if the moment we live through at this moment is crucial or not, some say that we need to stay vigilant. Every day and the entire time, and that minimizes the risk of failure of any kind. And strengthens our relation with God.[…]

Thoughts on Parashat Vayishlach 5786

Let’s set the scene: Yaakov is sitting in a café in Nowy Świat in Warsaw, or perhaps in the Kazimierz district of Kraków. A friend comes over. “Hey Yaakov, jak leci? How’s life?” Yaakov smiles: “Life? It’s wonderful. Good job, kids in excellent schools, Shabbat dinners with friends, holidays in the mountains or by the Baltic… The only thing is, when everything feels this calm and normal, I keep waiting for the antisemitism to flare up again.”[…]