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torah commentary
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Our firstborn no longer belong to God
Bamidbar, Numbers 1:1-4:20 Once upon a time, a long time ago, every firstborn belonged to God. We were always supposed to give the first of all “our fruits” to God, literally. Now, let’s go way b...
May 09, 2013 | 0 0 comments | 1 1 recommendations | email to a friend
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<i>Rabbi Aaron Bisno</i>
Shabbat as a utopian ideal
Behar-Behukotai, Leviticus 25:1-27:34 This week’s Torah reading is drawn from a double portion, Behar-Behukotai. Behar is associated with the laws of sabbatical; that is, we are instructed to al...
May 02, 2013 | 0 0 comments | 4 4 recommendations | email to a friend
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<i>Rabbi Scott Aaron</i>
You kiss your mother with that mouth? Blasphemy then and now
Parshat Emor, Leviticus 21:1 – 24:23 This week’s portion ends with a troubling story of blasphemy, social isolation and death.  (I know … a lot of our Torah portions have troubling stories of bla...
Apr 25, 2013 | 0 0 comments | 3 3 recommendations | email to a friend
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<i>Rabbi James Gibson</i>
‘Can’t we all just get along?’
Achare Mot–Kedoshim, Leviticus 16:1-20:27 Those famous words, “Can’t we all just get along?” were plaintively said by Rodney King, whose beating at the hands of the Los Angeles Police more than ...
Apr 18, 2013 | 0 0 comments | 3 3 recommendations | email to a friend
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<i>Rabbi Joe Hample</i>
Getting it together
Tazria-Metzora, Leviticus 12:1-15:33 Just between you and me, I feel a lot of ambivalence.  I’m full of faith and doubt, calm and stress, gloom and hope.  I’m an introverted extrovert, a sloppy p...
Apr 10, 2013 | 1 1 comments | 5 5 recommendations | email to a friend
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<i>Rabbi David Novitsky</i>
That which enters your mouth is also important
Shemini, Leviticus 9:1-11:47 There are those who believe that the Jewish dietary laws were given to the people of Israel primarily for health concerns.  They maintain that the unclean animals enu...
Apr 04, 2013 | 0 0 comments | 3 3 recommendations | email to a friend
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Archives
Seeing God’s love
Haazinu, Deuteronomy 32:1-52
by Rabbi Mike Werbow
Congregation Beth Shalom
Sep 29, 2011 | 0 0 comments | 9 9 recommendations | email to a friend
Congratulations! We have all made it to the first Shabbat of 5772. For the past week (or more) we have been wishing each other, “L’shana tova tikateyvu,” (may you be inscribed for a good year). Now...
We stand together …
Nitzavim-Vayelech, Deuteronomy 29:9-31:30
by Rabbi Sharyn Henry
Rodef Shalom Congregation
Sep 21, 2011 | 0 0 comments | 13 13 recommendations | email to a friend
We are standing, all of us, in a circle. Spontaneously, we start singing “Lechi Lach,” to our teacher who is leaving. We send our hopes that she continues to “go forth,” that she is a blessing to h...
First fruits
Ki Tavo, Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8
by Rabbi Ron Symons
Director of Lifelong Learning
Temple Sinai
Sep 15, 2011 | 0 0 comments | 9 9 recommendations | email to a friend
There are so many firsts for all of us at this time of year: first days of school, first leaves turning, first football games (Go Steelers!). For Jews, this perennial season of firsts finds its ori...
Matchmakers must remember why they do their job
Ki Tetze, 21:10-25:19
by Rabbi Martin William Shorr
Temple Hadar Israel, New Castle
Sep 08, 2011 | 0 0 comments | 14 14 recommendations | email to a friend
This week's Torah portion talks about the laws of a sad, but real situation -- divorce. There are opinions from various rabbis in the Talmud relating to divorce. Interestingly, because the...
Torah is Israel's first line of defense
Parshat Shofteem Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9
by Rabbi Nosson Sachs
UPMC Shadyside
Sep 01, 2011 | 0 0 comments | 14 14 recommendations | email to a friend
Most Jews are concerned with Israel's safety and security, but what is the mostessential element of that security? Is it a well-trained and well-equipped Israel Defense Forces? Perhaps the Shin Bet...
Little things mean a lot
Ekev, Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25
by Rabbi Eli Seidman
Jewish Association on Aging
Aug 18, 2011 | 0 0 comments | 19 19 recommendations | email to a friend
“Blow me a kiss from across the room Say I look nice when I’m not Touch my hair as you pass my chair Little things mean a lot…” “Little Things Mean a Lot” was a popular song, recorded by Kitty Kal...
Practice loving God
Vaetchanan, Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11
by Rabbi Jessica Locketz
Temple Emanuel of South Hills
Aug 11, 2011 | 0 0 comments | 13 13 recommendations | email to a friend
In this week’s Torah portion, Vaetchanan, Moses is in the midst of giving his final words of instruction to the Children of Israel before his death. In an effort to ensure loyalty of the people of ...
Believing in God regardless of proof
Devarim, Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22
by Rabbi Scott Aaron
Agency for Jewish Learning
Aug 03, 2011 | 1 1 comments | 18 18 recommendations | email to a friend
This week, we begin studying the fifth book of the Torah, Devarim, which is also the name of this week’s portion. It was the custom of our ancestors to name books and Torah portions after the firs...
Pollution
Masei, Numbers 33:1-36:13
by Rabbi Paul Tuchman>br>Temple B’nai Israel
White Oak
Jul 28, 2011 | 0 0 comments | 10 10 recommendations | email to a friend
“Do not pollute the land on which you live.” Numbers 35:33 I wish I could say that these words were an ancient harbinger of our environmental concerns, an admonition against pollution. In fact...
Vows make a difference, as tradition teaches
Mattot, Numbers 30:2–32:42
by Cantor Richard Berlin
Parkway Jewish Center
Jul 21, 2011 | 0 0 comments | 14 14 recommendations | email to a friend
“If a man makes a vow to the Lord or takes an oath imposing an obligation upon himself he shall not break his pledge; he must carry out all that has crossed his lips.” — Numbers 30:2 “If a woman ...