For the first time since their departure from Egypt, the Israelites do something together. They sing. “Then sang Moses and the children of Israel.” R. Nehemiah in the Talmud Sotah … more

Sometimes others know us better than we know ourselves. In the year 2000, a British Jewish research institute came up with a proposal that Jews in Britain be redefined as an ethnic group and not as a … more

The Torah sometimes says something of fundamental importance in what seems like a minor and incidental comment. There is a fine example of this near the beginning of this parsha. In last … more

This week’s parsha, Shemos, could be entitled “The Birth of a Leader.” We see Moses, adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter, growing up as a prince of Egypt. We see him as a young man, … more

In his introduction to the Rabbinical Council of America’s version of the ArtScroll Siddur, Rabbi Saul Berman has a lovely essay on the opening word of this week’s sedra, Vayigash, … more

Something extraordinary happens between last week’s parsha, Vayeshev, and this week’s, Miketz. It is almost as if the pause of a week between them were itself part of the story. Recall … more

In his Hilchot Teshuvah, Maimonides makes one of the most empowering statements in religious literature. Having explained that we, and the world, are judged by the majority of our deeds, he … more

It is one of the most enigmatic episodes in the Torah, but also one of the most important, because it was the moment that gave the Jewish people its name: Israel, one who “wrestles with G-d and … more

Why Jacob? That is the question we find ourselves asking repeatedly as we read the narratives of Genesis. Jacob is not what Noah was: righteous, perfect in his generations, one who walked with … more

In this week’s sedra, Toldos, we see Isaac as the parent of two very different sons. The boys grew up. Esau became a skilful hunter, a man of the outdoors; but Jacob was a mild man who … more