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187 results total, viewing 51 - 60

Of blind obedience and the lessons of Parashat Vareya

The book of Genesis begins with God deciding to create human beings to rule all the other created things: “Let us make human beings in our image, after our likeness. They shall rule the … more

d'Var Torah | 10/25/18

Don’t despair: Your efforts make a difference

After weeks of tireless watering, I realized that my many tomato plants had yielded only a few tiny, wizened cherry tomatoes. In fact, my garden as a whole had very little to show for the gallons of … more

d'Var Torah | 9/8/22

The hidden awakening of Tu b’Shevat

In the dead of winter, the full moon of Shevat rises and whispers the promise of Spring. It is called “Rosh Hashanah of the Tree,” because it marks the very beginning of the fruit growing process. Beneath rough lifeless bark, there is a hidden … more

d'Var Torah | 1/22/16

We are Israel when we devote ourselves to God

This week’s Torah portion, Vayechi, brings to a close the literary cycle of Genesis. Jacob/Israel, reunited with his son Joseph, bestows his blessings upon his 12 sons, as well as his … more

d'Var Torah | 12/20/18

Our imperfections help make us whole

Our Torah reading for Hol ha-Mo’ed Sukkot records one of Moses’ biggest blunders – the breaking of the first set of tablets in anger. Our text continues with the giving of the second set of tablets and a list detailing God’s … more

d'Var Torah | 10/15/14

Counting our days, counting each other

“Teach us to count our days rightly, that we may obtain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 The essence of this verse from Psalms is reflected in countless Jewish blessings and teachings, encouraging movement through life with … more

d'Var Torah | 5/7/15

Out of the mouths of babes: What really matters

We have all been told that we have untold possibilities locked inside us. What we must learn is that, to turn potential into reality, we must not let negative thinking get in our way, nor get … more

d'Var Torah | 4/7/17

There’s meaning in the details

There is a particularly “Jewish way” of reading the Bible that is notably different from the way that other religious traditions read their sacred texts. Because Judaism sees Torah as being divinely gifted to us, there is an assumption that … more

d'Var Torah | 10/1/15

Dare to dream!

Recently I was asked, “Why is it that we celebrate Passover and the Seder every year? The monotony and dread of that long, drawn out affair could surely be mitigated if we skipped a couple of years. Why go through the motions year after year?” … more

d'Var Torah | 4/10/14

Living a life of holiness

My high school students and I were having a vigorous conversation about ways that we can help people here in Rhode Island who wake up every day facing hunger, poverty or homelessness. This led us to … more

d'Var Torah | 5/12/16