Musical Treats: The Shul Sisters Sing Ivdu Et HaShem
Cantors Laurie Akers, Rachel Brook, Rachel Goldman
Rabbi Hannah Spiro: Toldot There Are No Perfect Heroes
Rabbi Spiro challenges the classic commentaries that seek to justify Jacob’s clearly unfair interaction with Esau by establishing a basis for Esau’s fault. She extends this tendency to contemporary living, wherein we tend to overstate the faults of our enemies or understate their values.
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, z’l: Toldot Why did Isaac Love Esau?
Why did Isaac love Esau, when Rebecca had been told by God that the younger son would prevail, while the older son would serve him? According to Rashi and the Magic of Dubnow, Esau knew how to deceive Isaac, letting his father think that he was strictly religious in asking about tithes.
Joy Ladin: Chayei Sarah Camels and Consummation
Joy Ladin comments on Rebecca’s remarkable independence – an essential quality for a Matriarch. Unlike Abraham, who had direct communication from God on what to do, Rebecca had to rely on her own personal determination.
Rabbi Rachel Bearman: Bereishit
Rabbi Bearman ties parashat Bereishit to two historical female rabbis: Rabbi Sally Priesand and Rabbi Regina Jonas. Rabbi Priesand’s favorite biblical figure is Eve, “because she chose knowledge and wisdom over life in the Garden of Eden.” Rabbi Jonas is known as the first female rabbi, ordained in 1935. She was murdered in Auschwitz around October 1944. Parashat Bereishit has been designated as her yahrzeit.
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, z/l: Chayei Sarah The Next Chapter
Rabbi Sacks writes of the interesting quandary Abraham finds himself in: God has promised him land three times yet here he is, bereft of Sarai, and despite his wealth, he has no ownership of land to bury her in. Despite the generosity of the Hittites in offering to give him the land, he insists on purchasing it. Furthermore, Abraham, in maintaining his distance from his neighbors was greatly respected, whereas Lot, who fully assimilated, was not respected.
Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis: Valera The Akeida was a major misunderstanding
Rabbi Mirvis presents an interesting interpretation of the Akeida. He references Rashi who cites Bereishit Rabbah, stating that Abraham was confused by God’s conflicting instructions. The Midrash continues to claim that God’s instructions were not conflicting but misunderstood.
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, z/l: Vayera Walking Together
Rabbi Sacks writes of the cognitive dissonance experienced by Abraham: He trusts in God while at the same time being filled with fear. He keeps his emotions hidden from his son; Vayelchu shenehem yachdav. The dialog between them is sparse. Rabbi Sacks shares the poignancy of their togetherness and compares it to his contemporary element, with the gap between family time vs consumerism, and the gap between Jewish and secular values.
Rabbi Daniel Bouskila: Vayera Abraham Our Leader
Rabbi Bouskila writes about the qualities of superior leadership: taking risks, showing care, dreaming visions, holding high expectations. Abraham was the first leader with God’s endorsement, the first in 10 generations of humanity. Abraham had no political power but was so influential.
Lizzie Frankel: Lech Lecha I Walk Barren
Lizzie Frankel begins with the novel concept of the barrenness of men, rather than women. Avram says to God: “You haven’t given me seed”. What exactly is the meaning behind “seed” and Avram’s need for it?