Abraham, the Sages were convinced, was a greater religious hero than Noah. We hear this in the famous dispute among the Sages about the phrase that Noah was “perfect in his generations,” … more

Jews live their lives within the framework of the Jewish calendar. At this time of year, we identify strongly with the narratives contained in the weekly Torah portions that we read in the synagogue. … more

Akeidat Yitzchak, the binding of Isaac, is one of the most challenging stories in Jewish history. A parent is asked to do the unthinkable — to sacrifice his beloved son, in the name of … … more

I t may not have been the first day I reported to my new job, but it was not many days later that I first met Richard Hood. I had joined a team of new PhDs, some trained as psychologists and some as … more

It is the hardest passage of all, one that seems to defy understanding. Abraham and Sarah have waited years for a child. G-d has promised them repeatedly that they would have many descendants, as … more

In this week parsha, Lech Lecha, we read about how when Avraham and Sarah embarked on their journey to the Land G-d would show them, they brought with them the “souls they made in … more

There are moments in life when we must start all over, when we have no choice but to begin again. Such moments seem to typically follow tragic events. Sudden loss, especially the loss of those … more

The most influential man who ever lived does not appear on any list I have seen of the hundred most influential men who ever lived. He ruled no empire, commanded no army, engaged in no spectacular … more

Contrary to popular myth, there is no better or worse way to lose someone close to you, but there is definitely a worst way to find out about it. It had been a long day, and I was finally … more

This previously published Noach column by Rabbi Weinreb focuses on trauma, making it especially relevant this week. There are many words in the English language that originally had great power … more