Paired Perspectives on the Parashah
Beshallah:
Natural Phenomena and Divine Purpose
Articles
Paired Perspectives on the Parashah: Mishpatim
Mishpatim:
An Eye for an Eye: Peshat and the Problem of Equivalence
My Place, Your Place: Thoughts for Parashat Terumah
When you attend synagogue, do you usually sit in the same seat? Even in synagogues where there is no assigned seating, do you find that you and almost everyone else ends up in their usual places? Why?
The Great Privilege of Being a Jew
You do things that shouldn’t be able to be done. You endure things that shouldn’t be put up with. That is part of the existential job description of what it means to be a Jew. And I cannot imagine a greater privilege than the opportunity to be part of it all.
Judaism and The Rhythms of Nature
Jewish tradition has two roads to God: the natural world, which reveals God as Creator; and the Torah, which records the words of God to the people of Israel. But the Torah itself leads us back to the first road, the road of experiencing God as Creator. The Torah and nature are bound together.
When Bigger is Better, by Rabbi Haskel Lookstein
Even before the covid pandemic, some had the feeling that "large synagogues" were facing serious problems. Rabbi Haskel Lookstein wrote an important article highlighting the importance of large synagogues. Looking beyond the pandemic era, we need to think carefully about our synagogues...and our community as a whole.
Going Out on a Limb: Joha
A few spoons of inspired foolery can shape the way we view the world. In terrible times, dare we waste time on humor? Dare we not?
Paired Perspectives on the Parashah: Vaera
VaEra:
Did the Israelites Suffer from the Plagues?
Miracle, Nature, and Divine Protection in Egypt
Teaching the History of Jewish Life in Europe
Teaching the History of Jewish Life in Europe Pre Kristallnacht to young adolescents asks us to question our motivations, objectives and focus. The study and experience of history occurs in informal and formal ways. With good teachers, students can develop and connect their understandings and experiences to what is presented.
Spiritual Bondage: Thoughts for Parashat Va'era
Yetsiat Mitsrayim teaches us to assert our freedom and our dignity. We will drive out the mitsrayim—the constrictions on our lives—and live freely and openly as proud Jews committed to our Torah, our traditions and our Peoplehood.