Redemption Through Law
Jan 28, 2012 By Burton L. Visotzky | Commentary | Bo
In the midst of the tumult of the Exodus鈥攚hile the plagues are still falling like locusts upon Egypt; after the deep darkness that plunged the land back into primal chaos; as the Israelite slaves desperately and, it must be admitted, somewhat gleefully despoil their former masters just after the ominous warning has been issued of the impending death of Egypt’s firstborn鈥攖he Torah pauses in its breathless narrative as if for a commercial break, a word from our Sponsor.
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“One Good Thing about Music…”
Feb 4, 2012 By Charlie Schwartz | Commentary | Beshallah
One good thing about music: when it hits you, you feel no pain.” So opens Bob Marley’s reggae anthem “.” This lyric cuts to the heart of music’s awesome power to transform one’s state of being. Music can touch something deep inside of us, can make us feel. Melodies express complex, even contradictory, emotions and ideas; they can soothe pain with joy, while adding feelings of loss or nostalgia. This emotive power of music stands at the center of this week’s Torah portion, Beshallah.
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Torah and the Supreme Court
Feb 11, 2012 By Marc Wolf | Commentary | Yitro
These are all the essential ingredients for the recipe of how we interpret the Torah at 91快播鈥攍anguage, history, tradition, precedent, purpose, and consequence. It is these very same principles that define our vision for study, law, and practice.
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Bringing God into Our Classrooms and Communities
Feb 25, 2012 By Jonathan Lipnick | Commentary | Terumah
Although this week’s parashah focuses mostly on architectural plans, there is significant, inspiring Torah about community building and even classroom dynamics.
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A Threefold Method of Biblical Interpretation
Mar 3, 2012 By Walter Herzberg | Commentary | Shabbat Zakhor | Tetzavveh
Why are these two seemingly unrelated matters鈥攖he law against harboring dishonest weights, on the one hand, and the exhortation to “remember” Amalek’s treachery, on the other鈥攋uxtaposed?
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Living with the Divine Spirit
Mar 10, 2012 By Abigail Treu | Commentary | Ki Tissa
How to blame the Israelites for the Golden Calf episode, when it seems that all they want to do is create something holy?
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How Now, Brown Cow?
Mar 17, 2012 By Leonard A. Sharzer | Commentary | Pekudei | Shabbat Parah | Vayak-hel
I would like to review several components of the Red Heifer ritual that I find most challenging and ask two questions: (1) Is there any way to understand this arcane ritual that has resonance in modern times?; and (2) Why do we read this passage shortly before Pesah?
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The Exodus and Einstein
Apr 7, 2012 By Marc Wolf | Commentary | Pesah
As we gather to celebrate Passover this week, the attempts of all those who seek to prove or disprove the Children of Israel’s exodus from Egypt seem to surface anew. Applying the rigors of science to religion is no new endeavor for Judaism. In each generation鈥攁 theme these days鈥攖here are those who have attempted to reconcile Truths. How could the Torah’s version of history agree with the Truth that we know from philosophy or science?
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