Each good person can do something positive, however humble it may seem. Each person can take a stand, make a statement, take an action, make a contribution. We cannot assume that evil will disappear on its own. It must be confronted by heroes of the spirit in every generation.
This week's Torah portion begins with God commanding Moses : "And these are the ordinances that you shall set before them." Rashi comments that God instructed Moses not to teach the Israelites by rote, but to explain the reasons for the laws. If the people had the opportunity to study the reasons behind the laws, they would more likely internalize and fulfill them.
We are pleased to announce the establishment of a University Network,
open to Jewish university students looking for an intellectually
vibrant, compassionate, and inclusive Orthodox Judaism. We ask students
to register online on our website, www.jewishideas.org,
and be sure to check the box indicating "student." Students will
receive free subscriptions to our journal, Conversations, and will also be
able to participate in the University Network online discussion group.
The reading of the Scroll of Esther is a central feature of the Purim holiday. We read it on the night of Purim as well as on the morning of Purim day. We all know the story of how the Jews of the ancient Persian Empire were threatened with destruction, and how they were saved through the efforts of Mordecai and Esther. Yet, there are a number of troubling questions that need to be addressed.
1. Mordecai is described as a strongly-identified Jew; yet, he asks Esther to conceal her Jewishness when going to the king's palace. Why?
The Power of Words
(A Thought for Shabbat April 5, Parashat Tazria)
by Rabbi Marc D. Angel
The Torah portion this week and next week deal with a mysterious disease/impurity known as tsara-at, usually translated as leprosy. Rabbinic tradition links this malady to the sin of lashon hara--evil talk, gossip. Moses' sister Miriam was stricken with symptoms of this disease after she had spoken inappropriately about Moses.
The Talmud (Arakhin 15b) compares the sin of evil talk to idolatry, adultery and murder.
Faith with Reason, not Blind Faith
(Thoughts on Parashat Metsora, for Shabbat April 12, 2008)
by Rabbi Marc D. Angel
This week's Torah portion, Metsora, begins with a verse that is repeated many times in the Torah: "And God spoke to Moses, saying." The verse simply could have said: And God spoke to Moses. Why does it add the word "saying" (leimor)?
Rivets, Kashruth, and the Jewish Future
By Rabbi Marc D. Angel
The New York Times recently ran a story about a significant theory why the Titanic sunk. That great luxury ship struck an iceberg, letting ocean water plunge in. The tragedy resulted in the loss of about 1500 lives. The prevailing theory had been that the hull of the ship had been gashed open by the iceberg. The new theory offers a different explanation.
A Thought on Parashat Bemidbar, Shabbat May 31, 2008
by Rabbi Marc D. Angel
Moses had a difficult job. He not only had to confront Pharaoh and the Egyptians, he also had to convince the Israelites themselves of the value of freedom. This latter responsibility kept him busy in Egypt--and throughout the forty years of wandering in the Wilderness.
Thoughts for Shavuoth 5768
By Rabbi Marc D. Angel
On Shavuoth, we commemorate the awesome Revelation at Mount Sinai, when the Almighty presented the Ten Commandments to the people of
Let us imagine that God would invite us to a second Revelation at Sinai, asking all the Jews of the world to attend.
