Several years ago I introduced to this column the precious scholarship of a Canadian rabbi, Reuven Bulka. His many books and essays span the gamut of Jewish learning that surely deserves your … more

As much as President Donald Trump enjoys taking a metaphorical sledgehammer to even the merest of slights against him, there is no reason to repeat the commander-in-chief’s behavior in judging … more

During the 2013 Chuck Hagel confirmation hearings, New York’s junior senator, Kirsten Gillibrand, showed herself to be an advocate for Israel. But lately she’s made some anti-Israel … more

From one Shabbat to the next, we traveled from moments of al eleh ani bochiya (for these I weep) to nachamu nachamu ami (take comfort, take comfort, my people). Between these two points in Jewish … more

Our parasha, Eikev, contains a phrase that is familiar to many, since it is found in the first blessing (Birkat Avot) of the Shmoneh Esreh: “G-d your L-rd is the ultimate Supreme Being and the … more

The source for saying Birkat HaMazon may not be as obvious as we normally assume. Our likely assumption comes from being accustomed to reading the first three words from Devarim 8:10, … more

This week’s parasha, the third from the book of Devorim, is Ekev, where we learn of the sole Biblical source for the mitzva to recite Birkat Hamazon, the Grace After Meals. The third prayer … more

Here’s a good Torah trivia question: How do we know there was a river flowing down Mt. Sinai? Because it says so in the Torah (Devarim 9:21). In the context of describing the events … more

When presidential adviser Jared Kushner said in a recent private discussion that “there may be no solution” to the conflict between the Palestinian Arabs and Israel, he was just stating … more

Our Torah learning tradition is based upon the teaching of the Torah text with commentary. Without the commentary of our sages, the Torah text, standing alone, would not be understood. This … more