d'Var Torah

Featured Most recent

154 results total, viewing 31 - 40

Tu b’Shevat is more than fruits and nuts

Tu b’Shevat, which begins on the evening of Sunday, Jan. 20, is a small gem of a Jewish holiday, coming as it does in midwinter, when there is not much else to celebrate. Many know it … more

d'Var Torah | 1/10/19

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

Building a mini-Temple for Hanukkah

Hanukkah means “Dedication.” After the Maccabees won back the Holy Temple, they lit the menorah to dedicate the Beit Hamikdash (Holy Temple). They found one cruse of olive oil … more

d'Var Torah | 12/6/18

Realizing the power of light in a time of darkness

The days are getting colder, the nights are getting longer. We are approaching the winter solstice. We have begun to forget the feeling of the sun on our skin. Some of us can hardly believe the … more

d'Var Torah | 11/22/18

Jacob and Esau take a journey with relevance today

In this week’s Torah portion, Toledot, the narrative begins with the origins of Isaac and Rebecca’s twin sons, Jacob and Esau. Isaac pleads with God on behalf of Rebecca who, … more

d'Var Torah | 11/8/18

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 … more

d'Var Torah | 10/25/18

It’s divine to be human and human to be divine

“I’m really sorry; I regret having done that. I promise I won’t do it again. I know, however, that I’m apt to forget that promise. I might need a reminder, so I’ll … more

d'Var Torah | 10/12/18

Gloom and doom at the season of our rejoicing

For the “time of our rejoicing,” as the Rabbis like to call Sukkot, the holiday has a curious custom. On the Sabbath of Sukkot, the nihilistic book of Kohelet (Ecclesiastes) is … more

d'Var Torah | 9/20/18

Torah and t’shuvah as we get ready for Days of Awe

Some people swim in the summer. Some climb mountains. I like to see plays. One summer, my family and I attended a production of “Hamlet” that was preceded by a theater … more

d'Var Torah | 9/7/18

Waking up to gratefulness

As I write this d’var Torah, we have just entered the Hebrew month of Elul, the month that precedes the High Holy Days, a month when the shofar is sounded at the conclusion of our morning … more

d'Var Torah | 8/23/18