I n preparation for this week’s parsha column, I did a search for famous quotes about success. I found hundreds of examples of high-sounding praises of success, ranging from Winston … more

We know him as Moshe Rabbenu, Moses our Master, Moses our Teacher, Moses our Master Teacher. But is it his name, given to him by an Egyptian princess, that grants him the role of this … more

It was in the second or third grade that I began to study Chumash . I remember beginning at the beginning, with Parashat Bereshit. It must have been in third, or perhaps even fourth, grade that we … more

This phrase occurs in the first blessing of the Amidah, the centerpiece of the synagogue prayer. The blessing praises the Patriarchs and calls upon the Almighty to take account of their benevolent … more

Quite some time has gone by since we celebrated the holiday of Sukkot. Frankly, there is much about that holiday that I have already forgotten. But one memory remains etched in my mind, one biblical … more

It is commonly assumed that parents know their children better than anyone else knows them. Many mothers will insist that their acquaintance with their children began even before they were born. … more

The opening verses in this week’s parsha, Chayei Sara, inform us of the death of Sara: The span of Sara’s life came to one hundred and twenty-seven years. She died in Kiryat Arba … more

I’ve set two goals for myself in writing this year’s series of “columns. One is to focus on a person who is barely mentioned in the parsha . The other is to discuss the parameters … more

I try to focus these weekly columns on individuals who are barely mentioned in the weekly Torah portion. They often play an important but insufficiently appreciated role. Thus, for example, last … more