d'Var Torah

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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

The blessings of the tithe include Shabbat

This week, we read portion Re’eh . Within its several chapters, Moses continues to review all the laws, statutes and commandments that every Israelite was bound to follow. More importantly, … more

d'Var Torah | 8/9/18

Miriam the Prophetess

Every Saturday night, my husband, my toddler, and I gather around our dining room table for havdallah . We sing the standard prayers to mark the end of Shabbat: verses of psalms that assure us … more

d'Var Torah | 6/22/18

Even in the Land of Milk and Honey there was 'fake news'

In this week’s parashah, representatives from each of the twelve tribes are chosen to scout out the land of Canaan. These emissaries are sent into the Holy Land to do reconnaissance … more

d'Var Torah | 6/7/18

Lessons on gender acceptance from the Talmud and Torah

Recently, a local Catholic church welcomed a medical doctor, Michelle Cretella, to speak about the health of transgender children. On the surface, this is wonderful. Religious conviction demands … more

d'Var Torah | 5/26/18

Jewish wisdom on attaining work-life balance

So many of us lead very busy lives. Between work, volunteering, self-care, care of family members, nurturing friendships, and all the other things that pull us in a million directions, it can be … more

d'Var Torah | 5/3/18

Tazria-Metzora: The mystery of a baby girl

Four years ago, during a winter that was colder and longer than the one we are now ending, my younger daughter and I decided to go for a walk. At the time, she was only 9 years old, as thin as a … more

d'Var Torah | 4/19/18

The miracle of the goats

On seder nights, after the fourth cup of wine, we always try to sing “Chad Gadya.” It’s a silly, deep song about a little goat that my abba bought for two zuzim. This year, … more

d'Var Torah | 4/4/18

Viewing sacrifices in a whole new light

Whenever we start reading the Book of Leviticus, or V ayikra , as it is known in Hebrew, I begin to feel guilty. Vayikra is dominated by chapter after chapter that define the laws of sacrifices. As a … more

d'Var Torah | 3/15/18