Parashat Kedoshim 5784
May 8, 2024
Rabbi Gerry L. Ginsburg (AJR '19)
Our parsha begins with the striking words:
קְדֹשִׁ֣ים תִּהְי֑וּ כִּ֣י קָד֔וֹשׁ אֲנִ֖י ה׳ אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃
You shall be holy, for I, your God, am holy.
(Lev. 19:2)
Parashat Aharei Mot
May 2, 2024
Rabbi Marge Wise (AJR '21)
Parashat Aharei Mot gives us much to think about, to learn from, to understand and to challenge ourselves with. I’ve chosen to devote my D’var Torah to the anonymous and fascinating individual in this parashah, the ish iti – or “man of the hour” or “time-bound man”.
Shabbat Hol HaMoed Pesah – 5784
April 26, 2024
Rabbi Enid C. Lader ('10)
During the festival of Pesah, it is customary to read Shir HaShirim – Song of Songs, a beautiful collection of poetry extolling the splendor and the power of love.
Parashat Metzorah 5784
April 17, 2024
Dr. Yakir Englander
This week’s Torah portion describes a “backdoor” entry into understanding the priesthood and the Tribe of Levi. Acts of Temple worship like the offering of sacrifices and the burning of aromatic herbs take place “up front,” where the Israelites in the courtyard (‘azarah) gaze in awe at the priests and Levites.
Parashat Tazria 5784
April 8, 2024
Cantor Robin Anne Joseph (’96)
One of my rabbis used to tell a story about a time when his father was on death’s doorstep. He had been 30 days in a coma suffering from a rare blood infection. The doctor comes into the room and says, “I don’t think he’s going to make it. There is one more drug we can try, but it’s so strong— if it doesn’t help him, it could kill him.” He told my rabbi the name of the drug. “Oh!,” said my rabbi, “that is the same drug that I was given 40 years ago when I was sick with Typhoid fever. It saved my life.”