Parshas Shemini 5784
Parshat Shemini תשפד I was once asked, “Rabbi, you say that Judaism is the only true religion; the Christians say that Christianity is, and the Moslems say that Islam is! How do you know you are right?” I would like…
Let’s Get Uncomfortable
Parshas Tzav 5784
The Robert Y. Love was the little towboat that could. It spent its time merrily chugging up and down the Arkansas River, pushing barges loaded with asphalt, construction debris, coal, or oil. While it was only 104 feet long and 30 feet…
Parshas Tzav 5784
Parshat Tzav תשפ"ד This week’s portion, Tzav, details the different types of animal or grain sacrifices that one may need to bring. A sacrifice is called a קרבן (korban), the root of which isקרב - which means to bring close.…
The Boy with the Oversized Head
Parshas Vayikra and Purim 5784
It was clear that Paul Bryant was different the moment he was born. He did look a bit strange, his head seemed almost bigger than his body, but all babies are born looking a little strange, so his parents weren’t…
Let’s Be Real
Parhas Behar Bechukosai
Cognitive dissonance hung heavy in the humid air. The people of Maranello, Italy were unsettled. A fire-engine red Ferrari had been driving through town all morning causing quite a racket. Usually, the snarling growl of a Ferrari didn’t bother the people…
Parsat Bahar – Bechukotai 5783
This Shabbat, we will read two portions, Behar and Bechukotai. In Parshat Bechukotai (Leviticus 26:3-13), Hashem promises the Jewish people that if they keep His commandments, they will receive many blessings and experience no hardships. The rains will fall in…
Plant me a forest…
Parshat Emor 5783
Tucked in the impoverished northeastern corner of India is an island that holds a world record, but perhaps not for long. The island of Majuli is the largest river island in the world. While most islands we think of are…
Emor 5783
Emor תשפ"ג This week’s portion contains the mitzvah to “count the omer,” one we are in the midst of fulfilling. Starting from the second day of Passover, we make a blessing every night thanking Hashem for sanctifying us with His…
Where the Sausage is Made
Parshat Acharei Mot – Kedoshim 5783
Some would almost call it a lobbyist hobby, arguing over the best restaurants in DC. When you take people out for breakfast lunch and dinner, food becomes a pretty obsessive topic of conversation. Young lobbyists can spend hours discussing who…
Acharei Mot – Kedoshim 5783
Acharei Mot - Kedoshim תשפ"ג The famous, oft-quoted, verse, “Love thy neighbor as thyself,” is found in this week’s portion (Leviticus 19:18). יח) לֹא תִקֹּם וְלֹא תִטֹּר אֶת בְּנֵי עַמֶּךָ וְאָהַבְתָּ לְרֵעֲךָ כָּמוֹךָ אֲנִי יְדֹוָד 18) You shall not…