It has been said that the life of Moses can be seen as three distinct movements, forty years each. First Moses spends the first forty years thinking he is somebody. He has fallen by providence into the royal court of…
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Miketz and Hanukkah – Unity the Ultimate Miracle
The conflict between the diversity of humanity is woven throughout the entire book of Genesis. From the moment of creation, the tensions between male and female, parents and progeny, and of course between siblings pervades the narratives of the book.…
Everybody Needs a Hero
Everybody needs a hero although often we don’t get the one we expect. Today’s Torah portion describes the heroic actions of Aaron, the Kohen Gadol (High Priest). Like most true heroes, he had to rise to an occasion greater than…
Tetzaveh – Holy Advocates
Early in this week’s parasha we are introduced to the new and exotic station given to Aaron and his sons—the role and office of the Kohanim (priests). They would become the highest religious authorities in the Torah, providing a stable…
Vayelech – Re-Righting Our Stories
“I am now one hundred and twenty years old, I can no longer be active.” (Devarim 31:1) With that surprising realization, Moses begins his final address to the children of Israel. When Moses completes this address, he will have accomplished…
Does God Need a Press Secretary?
It seems to me that God could use a good press secretary. You know, like C.J. on the classic TV show West Wing. Though she is a semi-fictional creation of Hollywood, C.J. is the perfect prototype of the professional spin-doctors…
The Price of Hesed
Every year the gift-giving season comes earlier and earlier, to the point that some desperate merchandisers try to lure us into their stores with X-mas in August promotional ads. This year in reaction to the societal retreat due to Covid…