Rabbi Ovadia is a proponent of adapting halakhah to contemporary conditions. In the case of festivals such as Purim, he makes a strong statement against the custom of justifying drinking alcohol for religious purposes.
On November 26, 1936, Rav Ben Zion Meir Hai Uziel delivered a lecture to a gathering of rabbis in Jerusalem.
Less than 6 weeks after the revelation at Mt. Sinai, Israel constructed the Golden Calf, causing God’s wrath against them. Rabbi Sacks observes that Aaron was the one to blame, for losing control, as the Torah understands the narrative, yet Aaron was a significant figure, who in later tradition was admired. Please follow the link below to read the full article:
In parashat Terumah, everyone brings gifts; everyone has something to bring and everyone’s contribution is different. The detail on the construction of the Mishkan is not just the descriptions of beautiful yarns, gold and copper implements, and so forth. It is the sacred instruction on creating community. Torah teaches that we build community together.
Tetzaveh is intriguing in that Moses is not even mentioned; the focus is on Aaron and his role of High Priest. While some question why the role went to Aaron, the deeper message is the principle of separation of power. Aaron was first tested when he accepted that the political and administrative leadership went to his younger brother; accordingly, it is Moses himself who bestows the honor of priesthood on Aaron.
Rabbi Rabinowitz writes of his concern that sacred sites today become the property of only a few people or less, because of the tendency to rely on the generosity of a few wealthy donors. In contrast, Terumah describes contributions from everyone in the community—many small contributions instead of a few large ones. Thus the whole community had ownership in the Tabernacle.
Rabbi Sacks questions why the Creation narrative is told in only 34 verses, whereas the narrative of the construction of the Tabernacle is 1/3 of the book of Shemot. In Bereishit, the emphasis is on the beginning of a family; in Shemot, the family becomes a nation. Throughout Shemot, God performs wonders, the people are awed, then they complain, and complain some more….
Rabbi Rabinowitz writes of his concern that sacred sites today become the property of only a few people or less, because of the tendency to rely on the generosity of a few wealthy donors. In contrast, Terumah describes contributions from everyone in the community—many small contributions instead of a few large ones. Thus the whole community had ownership in the Tabernacle.
Rabbi Artson comments that the Menorah was the visible symbol of Judaism since antiquity; the Magen David was introduced during the Middle Ages. The parashah contains detailed instruction regarding the Menorah for the Tabernacle. Moses was undoubtedly confused. Interesting, Betzalel, who did not contribute any scholarship to Judaism, used his artistic genius to fashion the implements for the Tabernacle. Rabbi Artson writes that everyone has unique gifts.
Please follow the link below to read Rabbi Barenblat’s sensitive blog on the Jewish perspective of reproductive rights: