Ki Tetze – 5779 Deuteronomy 21:10 – 25:19 In Ki Tetze, Torah speaks with more than one voice. This week’s parasha, among other things, defines who (besides the Israelites) can be admitted to the congregation of Israel, and who may not. According to Rabbi Adam Greenwald, it contains the hardest commandment of all: “You must […]

Shoftim – 5779 Deuteronomy 16:18 – 21:9 The opening words of this week’s parasha call to us at this time of year: “Shoftim v’shotrim titein lecha, Judges and overseers you shall set for yourself …” [Deut. 16:18] In context, the commandment has to do with setting up a fair and just judicial system – a […]

Re’eh – 5779 Deuteronomy 11:26 – 16:17 “Re’eh!” calls Moses at the beginning of our portion. “See! I am placing before you today blessing and curse.” [Deut. 11:26]. There is nothing odd or unusual about this verse, or about calling us to pay attention, especially when the stakes are high. It makes perfect sense, until […]

Ekev – 5779 Deuteronomy 7:12 – 11:2 “Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God … Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then […]

Va’E VaEt’chanan – 5779 Deuteronomy 3:23 – 7:11 “Shamor v’zachor” opines the poet in the beautiful L’cha Dodi prayer: “Observe and remember.” These words come from the Ten Commandments, or more specifically, the commandment to make every seventh day a shabbat, a day of rest and refreshment for both body and soul. In the book […]

Devarim (Shabbat Hazon) – 5779 Deuteronomy 1:1 – 3:22 We live in a complicated world, where senseless hate and violence are becoming ‘normalized’ and fear of ‘others’ is reaching new heights. This weekend, in Torah and Jewish observance, our tradition compels us to confront hate and fear though our weekly Torah portion, a special Shabbat […]

Mattot/Masei – 5779 Numbers 30:2 – 36:13 On Shabbat we will conclude the book of Numbers, which is a bigger deal than you might think: the narrative of our journey from Egypt to the Promised Land is just about complete, and some would say, ends here with Israel encamped on the edge of the Jordan […]

Pinchas – 5779 Numbers 25:10 – 30:1 This week, instead of offering my own commentary, I’d like to share a sermon by Rabbi Jack Riemer. I have never met Rabbi Riemer, who is a retired conservative rabbi in Florida, but have long admired his homiletical genius from afar. When I read this week’s sermon I […]