Parsha Hukkat
In parshat Hukkat, both Miriam and Aaron die, but under very different circumstances. From a p’shat, or “literal” reading of the text, Miriam simply dies and is buried, while Aaron is not only given notice that he will pass away, but is accompanied by his brother...
Latest Sermons
Mental Health, Rosh Hashanah Day 1, 5782
Comedian Jerry Seinfeld does a standup routine about the Olympic Games, and speaks about the silver medal, and how he’d almost rather come in last than win silver; “It’s like, congratulations, you almost won.” He points out in that in some of the contests, such as...
Nitzavim: What Difference Will We Make?
In this week’s Torah reading, Nitzavim, Moses speaks to the assembled Israelies, nitzavim hayom kul’chem lifnay Ado-nai elo-haychem… l’ov-r’kha biv’rit Ado-nai elo-hecha “standing here today, together, in front of the Lord your God, to enter into the covenant with the...
Ki Tavo: What Are We Really Afraid Of?
In this week’s Torah reading, Ki Tavo, we have what’s called the Tochecha, the curses or the rebukes; essentially, the terrible things that will happen if the Israelites, once settled in the Promised Land, don’t follow God’s commandments. Since they’re supposed to be...
Latest Midrash HaZak
Vayehi: Jacob’s End-of-Life Wisdom
Photo Credit: flicker.com/salvadhor Parashat Vayehi - Jacob’s End-of-Life Wisdom Reb Simcha Paull Raphael Ph.D. At the end of Genesis the life long journey of the illustrious patriarch Jacob comes to an end. Surrounded by his extended family, Jacob dies, he “was...
Lessons Learned from Noah’s Ark: Let Your Inner Light Radiate to Others
Photo credit: Flicker/gingernut/63243658 Lessons Learned from Noah’s Ark: Let Your Inner Light Radiate to Others William Liss-Levinson, Ph.D. The Torah often vacillates between explicit details and leaving much to the imagination. God approaches Noach and tells him to...
VaYigash: Was It All A Foregone Conclusion?
VaYigash: Was It All A Foregone Conclusion? Rabbi Richard F. Address, D. Min. Vayigash is one of the great portions of Torah. The central scene is the revelation by Joseph to his brothers. It is a moment of Torah that is filled with drama, pathos and the reality that,...
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