Messages from May 2017

Rabbi O’s Weekly: Bamidbar (Numbers 1:1-4:20) Fire, Water, and Desert

May 26, 2017
Numbers
Bamidbar

The Midrash enumerates three earthy components that were part of the Sinai experience. Three elements are associated with the giving of the Torah…fire, water, and desert. (Midrash Rabbah, 1:7) Lightning and flashes of fire were in the air when Moshe received the Torah (Exodus 19), the clouds dripped water while the Jews were at Mount […]

Weekly Torah Portion: Behar-Bechukotai (Leviticus 25-27) Judaism’s Innovative Economic Policies and Practices

May 19, 2017
Leviticus
Bechukotai, Behar

What does an individual or society do when two virtues, both of which are necessary for a just life or society, are at odds with one another? For example, truth and kindness are both wonderful virtues but when adjudicating a case of theft, a judge would be called negligent if s/he tossed out the evidence […]

Rabbi O’s weekly: Emor (Leviticus 21-24) How to Pick Yourself Up when You Are Down

May 12, 2017
Leviticus
Emor

You shall not desecrate My Holy Name. I shall be sanctified amidst the children of Israel. I am the Lord Who sanctifies you. (22:32) There are two frequently mentioned concepts in classical Jewish literature; kiddush Hashem and chillul Hashem. Kiddush Hashem means that we should act in a fashion that reflects well upon Jews, Torah […]

Rabbi O’s Weekly Parsha: Acharei Mot-Kedoshim (Leviticus 16-20) An Unsung Mitzvah for the Young

“He’s so old that when he orders a three-minute egg, they ask for the money up front.” This gem from George Burns is one of the numerous jokes about aging but the sad part does not have to do with failing health, it is how old people are treated in our society. UCLA Professor Jered […]