To behold the graciousness of the Eternal

אחת שאלתי מאת־יהוה אותה אבקש שבתי בבית־יהוה כל־ימי חיי לחזות בנעם־יהוה ולבקר בהיכלו׃ One thing I ask from the Eternal, One thing I desire: That I may dwell in the…

Shabbat Shekalim

Shabbat Shekalim (“Sabbath [of] shekels”) takes place on the Shabbat before the 1st of the Hebrew calendar month of Adar, and is one of the four 4 special Shabbatot surrounding…

Parashat Mishpatim and Shabbat Shekalim

Torah Comment Parashat Mishpatim Exodus 21:1 – 24:18 (Reading Ex. 23:26–24:18 Plaut p.522;  Hertz p.319) Haftarah Shabbat Shekalim 2 Kings 12:5-16 (Plaut p.1451; Hertz p.993) After last weeks Revelation at…

Shabbat Shirah: God a man of war?

Our Torah portion this morning describes that glorious moment in time when the Israelites, just having been emancipated from Egypt, cross the Red Sea in such a miraculous manner that…

Torah Comment – Parashat Bo

In Parashat “Bo”(Go) Moses and Aaron continue to plead with Pharaoh to let the Israelites go free. Because Pharoah refuses, God is is co-erced into raining down the last plagues…

Parashat Va’era Torah comment

In parashat Va’era („And I appeared“) we learn more about the relationship between God and the Jewish people and about the promise to give the Land of Israel to the…

Exodus – Kings and Gods

A few weeks ago, the film Exodus – Kings and Gods was launched and, in anticipation of the upcoming Torah readings about the liberation of the Israelites from slavery, I…

Parashat Sh’mot

A few weeks ago, the film Exodus – Kings and Gods was launched and, in anticipation of the upcoming Torah readings about the liberation of the Israelites from slavery, I…

Vayechi

Year 3 Genesis 49:27-50:26 (Plaut p 313; Hertz p 187) Haftarah I Kings 2:1-12 (Plaut p 323; Hertyz p 191) Jacob’s final blessing to his children and grandchildren precedes demand…