Past Thoughts
- July 2020
- June 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
Blog Archives
Thoughts on Va’etchanan
This week it would have been easy to look back and reflect on Tisha b’Av, but Rabbi David Friedman beat me to the punch with his Torah commentary for the UMJC (https://www.umjc.org/commentary/2020/7/30/the-groan-of-redemption). So, I began to think about the cornerstone … Continue reading
Thoughts on Balak
In Parashat Balak (Numbers 22:2 – 25:9), we see that contrary to Balak’s desire to have Bnei Israel cursed, Balaam not only blesses Israel but foretells the eventual destruction of numerous neighboring nations. Interestingly, in the rest of scripture, Balaam’s … Continue reading
Thoughts on Chukat’s Haftarah
How many of us doubt our ability to be of service to God and others? Sometimes such doubts are because of our age, like Jeremiah who tried to reason with HaShem, Then I said, “Alas, ADONAI Elohim! Look, I don’t … Continue reading
Some Thoughts on Korach
This week’s parasha, Korach, Numbers 16:1-18:32, is a continuation of times of trouble for Moses. Here is a brief recap of his problems in the last two parashot, Chapter 11 – grumbling crowd wanting a better menu. Chapter 12 – … Continue reading
Thoughts on Tzav
This week’s parasha, Tzav, “Command” (Leviticus 6:1-8:36) begins, ADONAI spoke to Moses, saying: “Command (tzav) Aaron and his sons, saying: This is the Torah (or law) of the burnt offering. The burnt offering should remain on the hearth atop the altar all night until the morning, while the … Continue reading
Thoughts from the Haftarah – Vayikra
This week we begin a new section of the Torah, Vayikra/Leviticus; the reading is Leviticus 1:1 through 5:26. The portion deals with various offerings and how they are to be brought before the LORD. While much could be said concerning … Continue reading
Weekly Thoughts Vayakhel-Pekudei – Shabbat HaChodesh
Tomorrow is Shabbat HaChodesh (“Sabbath [of the] month”), which is the Shabbat that precedes the month of Nisan during which Pesach (Passover) is celebrated (Exodus 12:1-20). Traditionally, Rosh Chodesh Nisan is the first month of the Jewish year according to the schedule … Continue reading
