There are always two unseen guests at every bris — neither of whom ever gets an invitation, and both of whom probably wouldn’t RSVP even if we sent one. But their presence is felt nonetheless. One is Elijah — the beloved…
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Bittersweet: Remembering Who We Are
Parashat Chukat is one of the most enigmatic portions in the entire Torah. It begins with a strange ritual, winds through miracles and mourning, and ends in paradox. The sages teach us that if we are willing to live with…
Shelach Lecha – The Hallmark of Equality
Seeing Giants or Seeing God? This week’s portion, Shelach Lecha, contains several obvious themes within a familiar narrative: Be bold. Do not fear. Trust God. The majority is not always right. The context, of course, is the story of the…
Nasso – Bless is More
Listen to an audio version… The Blessing We Never Outgrow This week’s parasha contains one of only two prescribed blessings in the entire Torah: the Birkat Kohanim, the Priestly Blessing. “Adonai bless you and keep you! Adonai make His face…
Tazria and Metzora – The Lightness of Grace
Seeing the Whole Person In this week’s Torah portions, Tazria and Metzora, we encounter the person afflicted with tzara’at, a condition that brings not only physical suffering but also deep social isolation. The Torah instructs that the afflicted individual be…
Ki Tissa – Show Us Your Glory
In Parasha Ki Tissa, we encounter one of the most searching moments in Israel’s story. The golden calf has just shattered the spiritual innocence of the wilderness generation. The covenant is strained. The people are anxious. It is in that…
Terumah – God’s Presence in Our Homes, Hearts, and Worship
God’s Desire to Dwell Among Us The central question that runs through the book of Exodus is both simple and profound: “Is God with us or not?” This is not merely a theological inquiry but a practical one. For Israel…
Mishpatim – The Covenant of Being
If the Exodus teaches anything essential about Judaism, it is that redemption is not merely remembered. It is embodied. Israel’s foundational story does not simply recount that God once intervened in history. It proclaims something far more daring, that history…
Hanukkah – The Miracle of Light by Dr. Marty Maketansky
by Dr. Marty Maketansky Who has ever personally witnessed a miracle? When I was growing up there are two events that I remember that were and still are called miraculous. Were they really miracles? I leave the answer to you,…
Toldot – Fast Food vs. Soul Food
The story of Jacob and Esau is really a story about appetite, purpose, and the lifelong tension between living for the moment and living for meaning. Their struggle begins before they are born. Rebecca, feeling the chaos in her womb,…