By Rabbi Dan LewinParsahat Mishpatim This week’s Torah reading is entitled Toldot — “children.” The theme is struggle. First, we read how children don’t always turn out the way parents…

By Rabbi Seymour RosselParashat Chaye Sarah Sarah’s death is the first in Hebrew history. Up to now, the Hebrews’ existence as semi-nomadic merchants and shepherds has been sufficient. In fact,…

By Rabbi Stefan WeinbergParashat Vayera I have often thought the first sentence in the Tanakh (Bible) is the most damaging. Too many people read the opening lines of the Torah,…

By Rabbi Dan LewinParashat Lech Lecha We are currently in the third week after beginning the Torah cycle anew. The opening section, Bereishit, dealt with the creation of the wonders…

By Cantor Sheri AllenParashat Noach I admit, I’m not the most observant when it comes to the great outdoors. I do appreciate a beautiful day or a fabulous sunset, but…

By Rabbi Andrew PaleyParashat Bereisheet This week, as we begin anew to read the famous words from the first book of the Torah, Bereisheet, and the first portion from that…

By Rabbi Dan LewinParashat Vezot Habracha We have just entered the most joyous of all Jewish festivals — Sukkot — the final stage of the spiritual triathlon that opens with…

By Rabbi Brian ZimmermanParashat Ha’azinu The Torah portion Ha’azinu, which is read in congregations this upcoming Shabbat, begins the final discourse but is really a song from Moses to the…

By Rabbi Charlie Cytron-WalkerParashat Vayeilech Our rabbis are great storytellers with great imaginations. Some of their best work revolves around the verse in parashat Vayeilech, “God said to Moses: The…

By Rabbi Dan LewinParashat Nitzavim As we approach Rosh Hashanah, the upcoming themes of the day are unity and affirmation. This unity concerns awakening the sense that our destinies are…