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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
Ethical wills convey blessings for all time
Vayechi, Genesis 47:28-50:26 change
by Rabbi Eli Seidman
Jewish Association on Aging
Dec 30, 2009 | 0 0 comments | 4 4 recommendations | email to a friend
A beautiful and meaningful Jewish custom has been the making of an ethical will. Just as a person transfers ownership of his (or her) worldly possessions, an ethical will is a vehicle by which a pe...
Judaism says the truth heals
Vayigash, Genesis 44:18 47:27
by Rabbi Mark Joel Mahler
Temple Emanuel of South Hills
Dec 23, 2009 | 0 0 comments | 17 17 recommendations | email to a friend
The Torah portion Vayigash begins, and the tension brewing in the first Jewish family through the Book of Genesis becomes unbearable. Joseph, now viceroy in Egypt, holds his brothers powerless in t...
Wake up
Vayeshev, Genesis 37:1-40:23, Numbers
by Rabbi Ezra Ende
Temple Sinai
Dec 10, 2009 | 0 0 comments | 11 11 recommendations | email to a friend
According to the Midrash, Vayeshev opens with Jacob’s desire for solace and rest. Rashi writes: Vayeshev Yaakov (and Jacob sat/rested). Jacob wished to dwell in calm and tranquility (but then) rig...
Fear and prudence
Vayishlach, Genesis 32:4-36:43
by Rabbi James A. Gibson
Temple Sinai
Dec 03, 2009 | 0 0 comments | 14 14 recommendations | email to a friend
In just one week of Torah reading, the youthful Jacob has transformed completely. No longer a youth running away to save his life from Esau, he finds himself married, with 13 children, servants and...
It’s a sign of the wise to say, ‘I don’t know’
Toledot, Genesis 25:19-28:9
by Rabbi Chuck Diamond
Congregations Or L’Simcha and Tree of Life
Nov 19, 2009 | 0 0 comments | 14 14 recommendations | email to a friend
There is much to glean from this week’s parsha. The generations of Isaac teach us a great deal about raising a family and the difficult challenges one may face. But the lesson that I would like to ...
Jewish continuity leads to Shabbat blessings
Chaye Sara, Genesis 23:1-25:18
by Rabbi Eli Seidman
Jewish Association on Aging
Nov 11, 2009 | 0 0 comments | 14 14 recommendations | email to a friend
If ever a Torah portion illustrates the idea of Jewish continuity, it is this week’s Torah portion, Chaye Sara. Abraham was concerned about his son, Isaac, and his future daughter-in-law. Abraham s...
We can find ourselves when we embrace change
Vayera, Genesis 18:1-22:24
by Rabbi David Novitsky
Beth Israel Congregation
Nov 05, 2009 | 0 0 comments | 15 15 recommendations | email to a friend
In this week’s Torah portion, Vayera, G-d appears and converses with Abraham as he sat in the door of his tent. Meanwhile, Abraham noticed three strangers approaching, and wishing to offer them the...
We can find ourselves through change
Lech Lecha, Genesis 12:1-17:27
by Rabbi Beth Jacowitz Chottiner
Temple Shalom, Wheeling, W.Va.
Oct 29, 2009 | 0 0 comments | 17 17 recommendations | email to a friend
When visiting my nephew several years ago, we went to a playground because he loved the swing and slide. Upon our arrival, though, we found a brand new slide — a curly and twisted one that replaced...
Noah was only human
by Rabbi Jessica Locketz
Temple Emanuel of South Hills
Oct 22, 2009 | 0 0 comments | 15 15 recommendations | email to a friend
Noach, Genesis 6:9-11:32 This week, we read the story of Noah and the ark he built. It is a story we know well; a familiar tale about a man referred to as ish tzaddik, a “righteous man” consider...
Justice, liberty, whatever: Torah for every occasion
Bereshit, Genesis 1:1-6:8
by Rabbi Stephen Listfield
Tree of Life Congregation
Oct 16, 2009 | 0 0 comments | 13 13 recommendations | email to a friend
A guest article appeared in this newspaper a month and a half ago, following the death of Sen. Edward Kennedy. The author is a rabbinic leader based in New York City, and the article was syndicated...