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To What Shall We Return?

Aug 28, 2013 By Lisa Gelber | Commentary | Nitzavim | Vayeilekh

As we engage in teshuvah, (re)turning to the deep, soulful place hidden beneath the barriers we erect for others and ourselves, we must ask ourselves to what we are returning and how that relocation will manifest itself in our lives.

Moving Forward Meaningfully

The parashiyot of Nitzavim–Vayeilekh are intimately woven into the rhythm of the liturgical year as they are typically read either immediately preceding Rosh Hashanah or during the intervening Shabbat between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

Blessing and Curse

Aug 21, 2013 By Arnold M. Eisen | Commentary | Ki Tavo

This week’s portion contains some of the highest highs and lowest lows in the entire Torah—or in any other work of literature, for that matter. At the start of the parashah, Israelites in the wilderness are asked to picture what it will be like to testify, from inside the Land of Israel, that they have seen God’s promises of blessing fulfilled. At the end of the parashah, those same Israelites are subjected to 54 verses of terrifying curses detailing the punishments awaiting them “if you fail to observe faithfully all the terms of this Teaching” (Deut. 28:58).

“Which You, O Lord, Have Given Me”

Aug 21, 2013 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Ki Tavo

Having underscored the role of memory at the conclusion of last week’s parashah (remembering the cruelty of Amalek), Torah now accentuates the importance of appreciation in Parashat Ki Tavo.

“No’am Adonai” (the Beauty of Adonai): Psalm 27 and Elul

Aug 14, 2013 By Samuel Barth | Commentary

“[L]ahazot beno’am Adonai ul’vaker b’heychalo” (To gaze upon the beauty of Adonai, and to visit in God’s sanctuary) [Ps. 27:4]d

Ethics of War

Aug 14, 2013 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Ki Tetzei

Parashat Ki Tetzei opens by teaching one of the biblical ordinances related to ethical conduct in war.

We Have Met the Enemy, and the Enemy Is Us

Aug 14, 2013 By Marc Gary | Commentary | Ki Tetzei

How does war affect the human soul? Our Torah portion, Ki Tetzei, begins with a verse that raises these issues in a stark and discomfiting manner.

Roads to Nonviolence

Aug 7, 2013 By Ofra Arieli Backenroth | Commentary | Shofetim

Is there a way to wage war in a humane way?

Leave Egypt Behind

Aug 7, 2013 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Shofetim

The Cairo Genizah—a treasure trove of Jewish history rediscovered by Solomon Schechter toward the end of the 19th century (43,000 fragments of which are housed in The Library of The Jewish Theological Seminary)—attests to the rich Jewish life that flourished in Egypt and beyond.

Healing of Body and Soul (Part 2)

Aug 7, 2013 By Samuel Barth | Commentary

If an anthropology student from the University of Mars were to attend a Shabbat morning service in an American Jewish synagogue, what kind of understanding about our real synagogue lives might emerge in the student’s term paper on the topic? The essay might suggest that announcements and kiddush are the most important parts of the experience because that is when the most people are present. The Martian professor (whose appearance we will not explore here) might urge the student to be more subtle and to observe closely the body language of the human participants to discern which parts of the service are most engaging and important to those present.

Bacon in the Season of Repentance

Jul 31, 2013 By Charlie Schwartz | Commentary | Re'eh

As it becomes clear that living and dealing with “bacon mania” is part of early 21st-century life in the United States, now is a good time to reflect on the Jewish prohibition of eating pork, which appears in this week’s parashah.

Balancing Peshat and Sensitivity

Jul 31, 2013 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Re'eh

Parashat Re’eh contains a categorical pronouncement against idolatry in the Land of Israel.

Healing of Body and Soul (Part 1)

Jul 31, 2013 By Samuel Barth | Commentary

In addition to the well-known mi sheberakh prayer for healing recited (or sung, in modern versions) during the Shabbat Torah Service, our liturgy engages with the theme of healing in the weekday ‘Amidah, in the blessing that begins, “Refa’einu Adonai veneraf’ei, hoshi’einu venivashe’a” (Heal us, Adonai, and we shall be healed, save us and we shall be saved). The blessing continues, asking for complete healing (refu’ah sh’leymah) for all among the People of Israel who are unwell.

Consolation and Repair

Jul 24, 2013 By Abigail Treu | Commentary | Eikev

Here we find ourselves two weeks into the seven weeks marked ever so gently by their haftarot, the shiv’ah d’nehemata (seven haftarot of comfort or consolation)—seven weeks in which the haftarot have nothing to do with the parashiyot, and everything to do with where we are in the calendar year: heading from Tish’ah Be’Av into the season of teshuvah, and ultimately into a new year.

Gratitude for the Land

Jul 24, 2013 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Eikev

Parashat Eikev is centered on the Land of Israel.

Humility Toward God, Even in Victory

Jul 17, 2013 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Va'et-hannan

Parashat Va’et-hannan, the second Torah reading of the book of Deuteronomy, places much of its emphasis on the loyal observance of mitzvot, God’s commandments.

Separation and Connectedness

Jul 17, 2013 By Leonard A. Sharzer | Commentary | Va'et-hannan

In Parashat Va-ethannan, Moses seems to have finally come to accept that he will not enter the Promised Land with the People, whom he liberated from Egyptian slavery and guided during a 40-year trek through the wilderness. As he concludes his first oration, he recalls his pleading with God to allow him to enter the Land, a plea that was denied because of his response to the demand of the People for water. Now, no longer pleading for a pardon, or even a commutation of the sentence, he exhorts the People to follow God’s commandments and the teachings he, Moses, has transmitted to them.

Jerusalem

Jul 17, 2013 By Samuel Barth | Commentary | Tishah Be'av

As we emerge from our encounter with destruction and desolation on Tish’ah Be’Av, we approach Shabbat Nahamu, named for the opening words of the haftarah “Nahamu nahamu ami” (Be comforted, oh be comforted My people; Isa. 40:1). This becomes the week when we allow ourselves to encounter all the images of Jerusalem that are presented to us as signs and symbols of hope in our liturgy.

A Just and Sustainable Society

Jul 13, 2013 By Daniel Nevins | Commentary | Devarim | Tishah Be'av

What is your vision of a righteous city? This is an important question, because this week is known as Shabbat Hazon, the Sabbath of Vision, and the vision offered by our prophets is that of a city that has gone astray, abandoning the path of righteousness.