Rabbi Sacks addresses the challenging passage where God tells Moses he will never enter the land of Canaan. The concept of Hakhel, the covenant renewal ceremony, enabled the people to retain their spiritual immortality, even though their physical bodies eventually died. This was the lesson for Moses.
DetailsRabbi Ruditsky addresses the concept of T’shuvah, as described by Isaiah—idolatry and mistreatment of others—raising the issue of social concerns in the community. The Rabbis connect his message to all generations that follow, reflecting Moses’ message in Nitzavim, that the Covenant applies to everyone, even those who were not, nor will be, present at the occasion. Please follow the link below to read his full article:
DetailsRabbi Ruditsky writes about many aspects of Ki Tavo and the Haftarah portion. His key theme is about putting yesterday in perspective; we look to tomorrow and the future, but do not forget the past—good and bad. We take those various aspects with us into the future.
DetailsRabbi Sacks addresses the question “Who Am I?” He writes about God identifying Godself as “the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob…”. When Moses wonders who he is, God lets him know that he is essentially an Israelite, although he has spent most of his life to date as an Egyptian or a Midianite. Thus, identity is also tied to genealogy. Thus, in Ki Tavo, the Israelites are instructed to say “My father was a wandering Aramean…” when bringing the offering of first-fruits to the priest.
DetailsDeuteronomy 25:17-19 teaches “Zakhor – Remember what Amalek did to you…do not forget.” Rabbi Malka cited these verses when addressing an Israeli audience in the mid-1970’s, to warn of the start of a disturbing trend – Holocaust denial. Today Holocaust denial is prevalent on social media and in academia. We have a sacred duty to remember.
DetailsRabbi Sacks writes about the limitations on a father’s capacity to dictate which of his sons inherits, and how much. Inheritance laws overrule his love or preference for a particular wife or son. He discusses the various references to ahuvah and senuah in different portions, and the negative outcomes for not following the laws of inheritance.
DetailsRabbi Ruditsky discusses the nuances of “stand” and “endure”, omeyd and kayayam, and how they are used in Pirkei Avot and the mitzvoth addressed in Ki Teitzei.
DetailsRabbi Ruditsky writes about the underlying concept of the ritual that is executed when a corpse is found lying in an open area. The key theme is the acknowledgment of social responsibility, for the person who is deceased, for the perpetrator of his/her death, and for the community who was not aware of the needs of the deceased.
DetailsIn the attached article, Rabbi Axelrad compares and contrasts the relationship issues in this parashah to contemporary customs.
DetailsRabbi Sacks writes about the meaning of humility, and when leadership incorporates it and when they don’t. Many great leaders, elected or otherwise, possess many good qualities, but not always humility. The parashah refers to kings, who typically were never humble, yet should have tempered their power with humility.
DetailsRabbi Sacks looks at parashat Re’eh from the perspective of joy, and rejoicing, a contrast from the frequent intense focus on social justice and righteousness. He observes that simcha occurs 7 times in this parashah alone. Please follow the link below to read his full article:
DetailsMoses continues to communicate God’s message to the people, telling them that God gives them a choice of blessing or curse: when they possess the land they must obey God’s laws to ensure continued blessings; otherwise they will be cursed.
DetailsRabbi Ruditsky focuses on the repetitive theme of social concerns relating to the Shemitah, Kosher laws, and Peah. He connects it to the reference in the Aleinu prayer to perfecting the world under the sovereignty of the Almighty. Among other things, this is analogous to ridding our world of hate and discrimination, aka social action.
DetailsThe theme for the parashah and for the haftarah is God’s unending love for Israel. Rabbi Ruditsky writes of people—biblical and other—who dare to question God in their personal and unique perspectives.
DetailsRabbi Sacks writes about the word Shema: it is fundamentally untranslatable. Hearing and listening have so many meanings. Rabbi Sacks refers to the 2 key influences on Western culture: Ancient Israel and Greece. While Greece was a visual culture, Judaism is based on a faith in an invisible God.
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