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190 results total, viewing 31 - 40

As a young teen, I remember asking my teachers why the Jewish people needed to be enslaved in Egypt for hundreds of years. Now, as our cycle of Torah readings has us once again focusing on Egypt, the … more

d'Var Torah | 1/10/22

What’s in a name? In the case of Hanukkah, a lot

During religious school a few Sundays ago, I challenged my sixth- and seventh-grade students to identify the central idea of Hanukkah in as few words as possible. As you can imagine, some … more

d'Var Torah | 12/4/21

A courageous query in difficult times

In this week’s Torah portion, Rebecca innovates a familiar mode of communication. Pregnant with twins who will come to personify sibling rivalry, Rebecca moans as they struggle in her … more

d'Var Torah | 11/7/21

Filling in the gaps in the Torah

The Torah portion Bereshit is jam-packed, to say the least. It includes the creation of the world in six days, the creation of man and woman, the commandment to not eat of the Tree of the Knowledge … more

d'Var Torah | 10/9/21

A powerful proposition

Many years ago, long before I became a rabbi, I was invited to High Holy Days services at Beth Chayim Chadashim (BCC) in Los Angeles. As I walked into the sanctuary on Erev Rosh Hashanah, I remember … more

d'Var Torah | 9/6/21

‘Justice, justice thou shall pursue’

Near the beginning of next week’s Torah portion, Shoftim (Hebrew for Judges, Deut. 16:17-21:9), we find a verse that begins: “Justice, justice (Tzedek, tzedek) thou shall pursue” … more

d'Var Torah | 8/5/21

Our legacy may lie in our actions, not our names

Our Torah portion this week is named after Pinchas, the grandson of Aaron, who is rewarded with the continued priesthood in his family for zealously upholding the high morals of the Torah. Soon … more

d'Var Torah | 7/1/21

Dare to pursue your dreams

If you’ve seen an advertisement for travel to Israel, or if you have checked out the website of Israel’s Ministry of Tourism, you may have seen a curious logo. Here it is: This is the … more

d'Var Torah | 6/3/21

Look to the Torah to guide us out of the wilderness

We end the Book of Vayikra with a double reading that is made up of the last three chapters of the Third Book of Torah. What is interesting is how relevant it is today. In a few weeks, we will … more

d'Var Torah | 5/9/21

The Torah guides us toward helping the homeless

A home and a garden. Sounds biblical. After all, one of the first chapters in the Torah is the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. But where was their home? Only the garden is mentioned. … more

d'Var Torah | 4/9/21