Dvar Torah
The First Pesach Seder
The Pesach Seder is one of the most ubiquitous religious performances in all of Jewish life. It is a night or two (outside of Israel) of learning, centered around a festive holiday meal that we enjoy together with family and friends. The very first Pesach Seder, which took place in Egypt, is vividly described in this week’s Torah portion, Bo.
The Look of True Piety
When reading about our great Torah personalities in the Tanakh, we often read with rose-colored glasses. We project an idealized image on to its leading characters how contemporary society portrays piety. Having this view of our great matriarchs and patriarchs, our foundational leaders, in fact, does us great harm.
The Status of Rabbinic Celebrations
What is the most important law of physics? Which is major and which is minor? How about Jewish holidays, are some more important than others?
The Antidote to Anti-Semitism
In this week’s parasha, Vayishlach, our patriarch Yaakov, has a reunion with his brother Esau. His actions bring lessons on how adhering steadfastly to our Torah is our only safeguard against the modern-day Esaus of the world.
Yitzchak Becomes our 2nd Patriarch
In this week’s Torah portion, we see the mantle of responsibility for building the nation of Israel passing from Avraham and Sarah to Yitzchak and Rivka. In Toldot, they emerge truly as patriarch and matriarch, Yitzchak Avinu and Rivka Imeinu.