What’s New?
Each week, as I write this note, I try to say something tied to the weekly Torah reading. On the eve of Rosh Hashanah, I'd like to speak a little bit about Shabbos! Well, not just the theory or regular practice, but a special Shabbos that is planned for October 24-25,...
Every Step Up
This week, the Torah makes us uncomfortable. It tells us something that we don't want to hear: that there are harsh consequences if we turn away from G-d and His Torah. We are His nation, and our lives and successes depend upon remembering this. The Ohr HaChaim...
Chain of Events
The Torah reading begins this week with three seemingly unrelated laws. First it teaches us how an Israelite soldier must conduct himself if, in the course of capturing a city, he is attracted to a captive woman. Then it explains the laws of inheritance if a man has...
Ferguson in the Torah
Over the past few weeks, those reading the news in the United States have been confronted with two entirely different accounts of events in Ferguson, Missouri. In the first version, an unarmed man with his hands up was shot by police. In the second, a large,...
You Gotta Have Faith
Have you ever had something bad happen, and said a quick (or not so quick) prayer? The truth is, it's really not supposed to be that way. [It's not? What do you mean by that?] Let me explain: The Torah tells us that G-d wants to bless us. G-d wants to give us...
Just your everyday Kiddush HaShem
Last night my wife and I celebrated our anniversary in typically Jewish fashion: we went out for Chinese food. Initially we both ordered a dinner special, but in the waitress' presence my wife changed her order to a slightly more expensive option. [For the locals,...
The Vision
This week, prior to the Ninth of Av, we begin reading Devarim, the book of Deuteronomy. But the special name given to this Sabbath is not related to the Torah reading, but rather to the Haftorah, which is the first 27 verses of the book of Isaiah. It begins with the words “Chazon Yeshayahu ben Amotz,” “The Vision of Isaiah son of Amotz,” and thus this Sabbath is called “Shabbos Chazon,” “the Sabbath of the Vision.”
Stopping Baseless Hatred
We are about to enter the period of time called the Nine Days, the beginning of the month of Av. The Ninth of Av is the tragic day when Israel mourned needlessly after the the evil report of the spies [Num. 14:1 ff.]. G-d said that because we mourned for no reason,...
An Honest Message
This week's reading begins by talking about the importance of keeping our word. If a person makes a promise or oath to G-d, says the Torah, he may not make his words "secular" or "profane" by failing to fulfill his commitment. To make this type of promise and then...
When Waging War is Pursuing Peace
As Pinchas taught us, sometimes an act of violence promotes peace. At the end of last week's Torah reading, we are told that one of the leaders of the Tribes of Israel engaged in an immoral act, deliberately violating the Commandments. He did it brazenly, "in your...
May their Memory be a Blessing
Two days ago, we learned the terrible news that the three kidnapped Israeli teens, Gilad Michael ben Ophir, Yaacov Naftali ben Avraham, and Eyal ben Uriel, were murdered by their captors. Many words have been written, and many more will be, about this awful event. But...
The Importance of Unity
At this writing, we are anxiously awaiting the rescue or release of the three boys kidnapped by terrorists, Yaakov Naftali ben Rachel Devorah, Gilad Michael ben Bat Galim, and Eyal ben Iris Teshurah. All over the world, Jews have set aside their differences to pray...
