Rabbi Rachel Barenblat: Symbols, This Year

Please follow the link below to read Rabbi Barenblat’s poignant and creative poem about the Seder plate for this year:

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, z/l: Shemini Spontaneity: Good or Bad?

Rabbi Sacks observes that Moses acted spontaneously on many occasion; why were Nadav and Avihu punished for their spontaneous, yet sincere, actions? He notes that Nadav and Aviv were Kohanim, whereas Moses was a prophet—two different forms of leadership.

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, z/l: Vayikra -The Dimensions of Sin

The parashah addresses the chattat—the sin offering, which varies by the particular individual, for sins that were committed inadvertently. A contemporary example would be answering the phone on Shabbat because you forgot that the day was Shabbat. Today, such a sin is typically not viewed as such. He continues with another example: you are caught driving 50 mph in a 30 mph zone, although you know that your speedometer is inaccurate.

Rabbi Rachel Barenblat: Shabbat Zachor Restoring the Name

Rabbi Sacks references Rebecca Costa’s argument that civilizations die when their systems are unable to solve complex problems. They tend towards drastic solutions such as human sacrifice and religious consolations. He contrasts this scenario with Judaism, which emphasizes substitutes for sacrifice – acts of kindness and study.

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, z/l: Tzav Why Civilizations Die

Rabbi Sacks references Rebecca Costa’s argument that civilizations die when their systems are unable to solve complex problems. They tend towards drastic solutions such as human sacrifice and religious consolations. He contrasts this scenario with Judaism, which emphasizes substitutes for sacrifice – acts of kindness and study.

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, z/l: The Therapeutic Joy of Purim

Rabbi Ruditsky contrasts the book of Leviticus with Exodus: In the latter, the emphasis is on who Israel would become, whereas in Leviticus the emphasis is on inner holiness. In Judaism we practice cheshbon hanefesh, and remember ‘from where we come, where we are going, and before Whom we stand’…

Rabbi Adam Ruditsky: Vayikra The Personal Pursuit of Perfection

Rabbi Ruditsky contrasts the book of Leviticus with Exodus: In the latter, the emphasis is on who Israel would become, whereas in Leviticus the emphasis is on inner holiness. In Judaism we practice cheshbon hanefesh, and remember ‘from where we come, where we are going, and before Whom we stand’…