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Shabbat Weekly Dvar Torah

“Grow, Grow”

Sep 2, 2022

“Grow, Grow”

This week’s Torah portion (Parashat Shoftim) is a touchstone text within Jewish environmentalism, as it contains the commandment “not to destroy” trees in the field (“bal taschit”).
The Mind's Eye

Aug 26, 2022

The Mind's Eye

In the opening verse of this week's parsha, Re’eh, Moses speaks to the Jewish people and says: "See (re'eh), I have set before you today a blessing and a curse" (Devarim/ Deuteronomy 11:26). Why does the Torah present this information in terms of "seeing," when it would have made more sense to use the idea of "hearing"?
Motivated by Love of God

Aug 19, 2022

Motivated by Love of God

If you do as God tells you to do, then God will reward you. But that is only half of the story: if you don’t do what God tells you to do, God will punish you severely... As much as the rabbis try to mitigate the intensity of the portion with their various explanations of the title, it does not appear to be the loving portion we would prefer.
Shema, Listen, with the Intention of Hearing

Aug 12, 2022

Shema, Listen, with the Intention of Hearing

In this week’s Torah portion, Vaetchanan, Moses continues to deliver his final words to the Israelites, recalling the joys and the oys of their wilderness journey. Throughout the text the command to listen, Shema, is repeated on four different occasions...
The Power of Words

Aug 5, 2022

The Power of Words

"These are the words, the words that brought us here, the words that shaped this hard place we have come to know and yet, in this place words escape us." - Rebecca Minkus-Lieberman | Tisha B’Av/ The 9th day of the Hebrew month of Av marks the day of destruction of both the 1st and 2nd Temples and many other disasters that have befallen the Jewish people. This weeks Dvar is a kavannah for Parshat Devarim, and Tisha B'av (observed this coming Sunday).
Why Travel?

Jul 29, 2022

Why Travel?

Now that we are “vaxxed” and boosted, many of us have just taken trips or are scheduling time to travel after a few years of laying low due to Covid-19. And this, coincidentally mirrors some of our Torah portion for this week…
The Crown All Can Wear

Jul 22, 2022

The Crown All Can Wear

Moses was in sight of the Angel of Death. Miriam had died. So had Aaron. And God had told Moses “you too will be gathered to your people, as your brother Aaron was.” (Num. 27:12–13), so he knew he was not fated to live long enough to cross the Jordan and enter the land. Who would be his successor? Did he have any thoughts on the matter?
Not Seeing Is The Sin

Jul 15, 2022

Not Seeing Is The Sin

This week’s Torah portion is mostly the story of Balak, the king of the nation Moab, who hires the prophet Balaam to curse the Israelites, whom he perceives as a threat. Balaam then discovers that the power of blessing and cursing is God’s alone.
Shrouded In Mystery

Jul 8, 2022

Shrouded In Mystery

This week’s Torah portion, Chukat (Numbers 19 - 21), begins with a detailed description of the ritual of the red heifer... the Torah calls this ritual a chok - a decree, meaning a law, which defies human logic... the procedure is shrouded in mystery and is enigmatic. The intention is to purify those that are ritually impure. In the process, however, the individuals who facilitate the ritual of purification become impure themselves!
Korach Leadership: Taker or Giver?

Jul 1, 2022

Korach Leadership: Taker or Giver?

This week's parashah, Korach, begins with the words "Korach took / vayikach Korach." Since the verb is not followed by a direct object, the commentators wonder what it is he took. Furthermore, Korach did not take alone -- Datan and Abiram are subjects in that sentence, as well; yet the verb וַיִּקַּח is in the singular…