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’…
Rabbi Daniel Bouskila: My New Synagogue
When Moses convened the community, he essentially created the community by bringing the people together. Did they all agree with each other? And is it necessary that everyone in the community today agree? Rabbi Barenblat brings this key theme of the parashah to the communal dissension over the current situation in Gaza.
Rabbi Rachel Barenblat: Vayakhel Not Heat but Light
When Moses convened the community, he essentially created the community by bringing the people together. Did they all agree with each other? And is it necessary that everyone in the community today agree? Rabbi Barenblat brings this key theme of the parashah to the communal dissension over the current situation in Gaza.
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, z/l: Pekudei On Jewish Character
In the prior parashiot, the people willingly gave generously for the construction of a false idol; the following week they again gave generously for the construction of the Tabernacle for Adonai. Maimonides suggests that charitable giving is essentially part of the Jewish DNA; it comes first before anything else. Thus, the people gave first, and thought about their actions later.