Do you ever hear voices? I do, especially at this time of year. During these ten-days of teshuvah, between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, Jews become more contemplative, serious, and given to … more

I remember when the age at which one could vote or drink was 21. From my perspective when I was a child, and frankly eager to do these things, it seemed to be an injustice to set the … more

Vayikra 18 introduces the Torah’s list of forbidden relationships with the instruction to Moshe to tell the Israelites, “I am G-d. Do not follow the ways of Egypt where you lived, and as … more

The concluding verse of parashaBechukotai, and of seferVayikra, contains a phrase that is crucial for a holistic understanding of the Torah: “These are the commandments (aleh … more

Listen to these words that are among the most fateful and reverberating in all of Jewish history: Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him. Gen. 42:8 The Torah is a … more

By Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of September 18, 2009/ 29 Elul 5769 Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik recounted a personal episode that took place shortly after his wife passed away. As the rain … more

Parshat Vayechi By Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of January 1, 2010/ 15 Tevet 5770 Many years ago I saw a movie called “Glengarry Glen Ross” which is based on a play by David Mamet. Mamet is … more

Parshat Shmini by Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of April 8, 2010/ 24 Nissan 5770 Most blessings in the Torah are directed from either G-d to man or from man to G-d. There are a few exceptions, … more

Thousands of feet up in freefall, travelling over 100 miles an hour, Yosef Goodman had only seconds to make a decision. His parachute had become tangled in his commander’s chute above him, … more

Some years ago, I attended a conference that attracted rabbis and academics. At lunch, I found myself sitting next to a gentleman whose nametag indicated that he was a “Professor.” Given … more