Rosh Chodesh is the topic of this week’s additional Torah reading: “The L-rd spoke to Moses and to Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying: ‘This month shall be to you the head of the … more

Birkat Ya’akov, the Blessing of Jacob, is the most celebrated narrative of our parasha, Vayechi. It contains Jacob’s hope-filled and prophetically inspired blessing to ten of his sons. In … more

Although our parasha, Ki Tisa, contains numerous themes, it is preeminently associated with the Chet Haegel (the Sin of the Golden Calf). How could our ancestors could have participated in such a … more

If it be so, wherefore do I live?” (Bereishit 25:22) Rebecca was suffering with a very difficult pregnancy. She was so distraught that she questioned the value of her life. After … more

One of the reasons given for the Levites’ positions of holiness was on account of their not having participated in the sin of the Golden Calf. Separating themselves from the community of … more

What do you say to your successor? What advice do you give them? Vayelech is the place to look for the answer, because it is here that Moses finally handed the reins over to Joshua, and he and … more

Loving the ‘ger’ By Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of August 22, 2008 The Torah commands us to love three entities: G-d, our neighbor, and the “ger.” The term “ger” is usually … more

Whenever I come across the word "v'nikhrita" (and he/she/they will be cut off from the Jewish people) in the Torah, I marvel over where such a notion stands in the 21st century world that defines how we live. more

Towards the beginning of this week’s Torah portion, Va’Eschanan, we are given Moshe’s reminder that we are not to add anything to the Torah, nor to detract from it (4:2). This is … more

While the debate over what Moshe’s father-in-law “heard” opens up the discussions on the first verse of the parsha, several verses later the Torah tells us “vayichad … more