Paired Perspectives on the Parashah
Rabbi Hayyim Angel shares some thoughts on this week's Torah portion.
Min haMuvhar
We are Yisrael: Thoughts for Parashat Vayishlah
We remind ourselves: we are Yisrael. We face struggles…but we prevail. We muster the physical strength to ward off enemy attacks; we draw on our spiritual strength to overcome ideological opponents.
The Dayenu of Grief
Janet Kirchheimer offers poignant thoughts on the passing of her beloved mother, on the nature of grief, on the resilience needed to move forward with life.
The Chosen People: An Ethical Challenge
Rather than serving primarily as an ethnic description, the Chosen People concept is deeply rooted in religious ethics. It contains a universalistic message that belongs to the community of nations. All are descendants from Adam and Eve, created in God’s Image.
Theology of Friendship
While so much of the news focuses on dissension among groups, it is important to be aware of significant efforts to bring people together in friendship and mutual understanding. Rabbi Dr. Alon Goshen-Gottstein is director of the Elijah Interfaith Institute.
Book Review: "In God's Presence: A Theological Reintroduction to Judaism
The subtitle of the book is “A Theological Reintroduction to Judaism.” The author’s goal was to go beyond a simple introduction that presents beliefs and observances. The result is a volume of over 600 pages of heavy reading. This “reintroduction” offers insights and challenges that contribute to the ongoing vitality of Judaism.
Anonymous Souls: Thoughts for Parashat Lekh Lekha
These anonymous souls deserve respect and appreciation. They represent the good people of every generation—including our own—who stand faithfully and loyally with the descendants of Abram and Sarai. They are with us in good times and bad; they sacrifice for us and for our shared ideals.
Impasses...and Beyond: Thoughts for Parashat Vayetsei
When we are at an impasse, we are not likely to receive a prophetic dream as did Jacob. But we can think of our situation as a challenge from God in which the Almighty prods us to be strong, resilient, clear-headed, unafraid. It is as though God places Jacob’s ladder before us and says: will you ascend or descend? Do you have the courage to climb and reach for the heavens?
Thoughts for Thanksgiving 2025
For Jews, as for so many others, America has been—and continues to be—a land of opportunity and freedom. The ideas and ideals of America continue to inspire and to give hope. Without ignoring or belittling the many problems facing the country, we must be grateful for its positive values, its commitment to democracy, and its strong opposition to tyrannical nations.
Which Judaism Should We Teach Our Children, and When?
“Rashi’s Judaism” is certainly warm and comforting. But it is also disappointing to people who accept modern science as a route to truth, who reject superstition, who believe that all human beings are actually created in the image of God. “Rashi’s Judaism” is challenging for people who accept the values of liberal democracy.