Vayigash. Embarrassment. Judaism's Fourth Cardinal Sin
Murder is a one-time act, but to shame a person is to commit murder over and over.
Miketz. Stockpile Your Blessings!
If bad times can be anticipated, the good times might offer some perspective and resilience.
Vayeshev. When Communication Fails
Israelis often pride themselves in being direct. In Israeli slang, this is called speaking “doogri”, straight talk. Is this good?
Vayishlach. Insignificant Verses - Really?
Maimonides, addressing the divinity of the Torah, says that the verse "Timna was a concubine" is equivalent to "Shema Yisrael!
Vayetze: The Value of Self-Doubt
Because we are only human - like Jacob - we always have a choice to live up to our values or to fall short. We may never become complacent.
Toldot. Living for Today, or for Tomorrow?
"A fool wants only to eat, to drink and to indulge their pleasures in the here and now; not to live with a concern for the future."
Vayera. The Akeida's Contrary Commitments
The contradiction of the Akeida is the tension between “religious obligation” on the one hand, and “human obligation” on the other.
Lech Lecha: Sins and Virtues of our Avot and Imahot
Can religious figures be open to criticism? What happens when the Bible narrates their sins?
Vayelech 5780. When was the Torah Written?
Is Revelation a gradual process, responsive to this-wordly events? Or is it an eminence from the Divine, a supernal document that is reveale
Ki Tetze. Chain Effect!
We can at times generate a positive religious energy where we delight in thickening our Jewish world, as we add mitzva to mitzva, building o
