This Shabbat's Torah reading begins by informing us that Jacob dwelled in the land where his fathers dwelled. Rashi comments that Jacob thought he had finally found some peace and quiet, after a lifetime of suffering and conflict. Yet, no sooner did Jacob settle down than a new tragedy befell him. Strife among his sons led to the disappearance of his beloved son Joseph.

Jacob's experience is repeated endlessly in the lives of human beings. We face a crisis, we overcome it, we think we can relax, and then another crisis arises. It seems that we can never let down our guards.

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)?

Thoughts on Parashat Beha-aloteha, Shabbat June 14, 2008

By Rabbi Marc D. Angel

In describing Aaron's obligation to light the Menorah, the Torah uses the word "beha-aloteha", meaning "when your raise the lights". Rashi comments that this word suggests that Aaron was to kindle the lights until they were able to rise on their own.

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.

Thoughts on Parashat Pinehas

by Rabbi Marc D. Angel

In this week's Torah reading, God tells Moses to ascend the mountain and look at the promised land. Although Moses is granted this view, he is told that he will not be allowed to enter the land. He will die outside the land, while the people he led will go ahead without him.

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 Israel. All of the Israelite men, women and children experienced that solemn moment, marking an everlasting covenant between God and the Israelite nation.

Let us imagine that God would invite us to a second Revelation at Sinai, asking all the Jews of the world to attend.

Israel: Dreaming the Great Dreams

by Rabbi Marc D. Angel

As we celebrate the 60th anniversary of Israel's independence, we take pride in her incredible achievements; we worry about her many problems; we commit ourselves to her unfolding future. No country on earth has done so much for so many in so short a time--all in the face of implacable enemies who stop at nothing in their efforts to thwart her. We salute the people of Israel. We thank the Almighty for having given us the privilege of living at this special time.