Messages from November 2016

Weekly Torah Portion: Chayei Sarah (Genesis 23:1-25:18) A Jewish Hero: Dignified, Satisfied, and Serene

November 25, 2016
Genesis
Chayei Sara

One of the most striking features about Judaism in comparison with, say, Christianity or Islam, is that it is impossible to answer the following question: Who is the central character of the drama of faith? In both of the other Abrahamic monotheisms the answer is obvious. In Judaism, it is anything but. Is it Abraham, […]

Rabbi O’s Weekly Parsha: Vayeira (Genesis 18-22) Close Encounters of the Wrong “Kind”

November 18, 2016
Genesis
Vayera

Rav Yisrael Salanter (1810-1883), founder of the Mussar (personal growth through rigorous self-introspection) movement, was once invited to the home of a distinguished community leader for a meal. The host noticed that when his guest did the ritual hand washing before eating bread, the esteemed Rabbi only washed his fingers, but not his entire hand. […]

Rabbi O’s Weekly: Lech Lecha (Genesis 12-17) Marriage 101 for Dudes

November 11, 2016
Genesis
Lech-Lecha

This week’s Parsha introduces us to the first Jew, Abraham. During one of his early travels, a seemingly insignificant detail is given: And from there he relocated to the mountain, east of Bethel and pitched his tent there… (12:8) The Torah is not a history book; it records significant details with the purpose of giving […]

Weekly Torah Portion: Noah (Genesis 6:9-11:32) The Secret Element of Survival

November 4, 2016
Genesis
Noach

What does it take to survive? Although Dianna Ross famously wrote, “Oh no not I, I will survive/For as long as I know how to love, I know I’ll stay alive,” love is not a miracle elixir that can cure terminal illness or prevent national tragedy. A few thousand years ago, G-d saw that humanity […]