The AJR Center for Judaism and Science has an annual competition for the best student D’var Torah infused with science. Click here to view the entries that have won our לדעת חכמה (Lada’at Hokhmah) Award.
Parashat Ha’azinu – 5786
September 29, 2025
Rabbi Rob Scheinberg
“From the hands of his enemies and from the hands of Saul” A D’var Torah for Parashat Ha’azinu By Rabbi Rob Scheinberg The traditional cycle of Haftarot, prophetic readings for each Shabbat and holiday of the year, is one of the more confusing parts of synagogue ritual, between the numerous differences in practice between Ashkenazic and Sefardic communities, the even greater number of divergences in practice when one considers the Italian and Mizrahi rites, and the quirks of the holiday cycle that are hard for anyone to keep track of without a detailed perpetual calendar (or a website like hebcal.com). This is one of the relatively few years when traditional Jewish communities read the Haftarah for the Torah portion of Ha’azinu, a poem from the end of the 2nd Book of Samuel (2 Samuel 22). Most frequently, the Torah portion of Ha’azinu is read between Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur, prompting the assignment of a special haftarah for...
Parashat Vayeilekh – 5785
September 22, 2025
Rabbi Marge Wise (AJR '21)
A D’var Torah for Parashat Vayeilekh by Rabbi Marge Wise (AJR ’21) Although the shortest parashah in the Torah with 30 verses, parashat Vayeilekh teaches us so much about life, the trajectory of life’s journey, ways to view life’s accomplishments, the high points and the disappointments. Trying to find a theme for my D’var Torah has led me to be introspective. Being at home for a few days with Covid – which I had avoided until now and had hoped to continue avoiding! – helped fuel that introspection! I learned a lot in the process of doing research for this D’var Torah. For one, I learned a new word: generativity. But before I get there, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, z”l, describes Moses in a way which makes him seem very – well, “human”. He describes Moses as someone who has achieved it all – and now what? He tells the children of Israel that he can no longer “come and go” What...
Parashat Nitzavim – 5785
September 16, 2025
Rabbi Susan Elkodsi (AJR '15)
A D’var Torah for Parashat Nitzavim By Rabbi Susan Elkodsi (AJR ’15) Parashat Nitzavim is usually read a week or two before Rosh Hashanah, and begins with Moses reminding us that following Torah, God’s commandments, isn’t so difficult, or at least it shouldn’t be. The parashah begins with Moses acknowledging the entire community standing before him; the elders, the tribal leaders, the children, men and women, resident aliens, everyone from the woodchopper to the water drawers. (Dev. 29:9-10) I’ve always wondered why the professions of wood chopping and water drawing would not only be singled out, but presented in a way that suggests that they’re two ends of spectrum, or that perhaps these are unskilled laborers who might not be as learned as the elders of the community. And I also wonder, when we say “from alef to tav,” for example, there are usually steps in between. Here, we’re not...
Parashat Ki Tavo -5785
September 8, 2025
Rabbi Greg Schindler (’09)
Teach Your Children Well A D’var Torah for Parashat Ki Tavo By Rabbi Greg Schindler From the moment she stepped into the home in Tuscumbia, Alabama on March 3, 1887, 21-year old Anne Sullivan faced a daunting challenge. Not only was her new 6-year old pupil blind (like Anne), but she was also deaf, mute, and very unruly. Anne immediately began signing words into the child’s hand. It took a month of constant repetition, but eventually the girl began to comprehend that the words drawn on her hand represented things in the world. Anne understood that teaching this child would best be achieved by focusing on touch, smell, and taste. And so, many of their lessons took place outdoors where they could touch the animals, smell the flowers, and taste the fruits. One concept, however, proved extremely challenging — the difference between the “mug” and the “milk” that it held. ...
Parashat Ki Teitzei – 5785
September 2, 2025
Hazzan Rabbi Luis Cattan ('20)
A D’var Torah for Parashat Ki Teitzei By Hazzan Rabbi Luis Cattan As we enter the month of Elul, preparing for Rosh Hashanah, many of us begin to plan who will be seated at our festive tables — and realize also, who will not. For some, this season stirs joy. For others, it stirs old and new grief. Rabbi Naomi Levy, a contemporary liturgist, offers a powerful “Prayer When a Parent Dies” in her book Talking to God: “I miss you. You gave me my life. You were my protector, my teacher, my moral compass, my comfort. I feel so alone without you. No one worries about me the way you did. No one loves me the way you did… Please forgive me for the times I caused you pain, and for the times I took you for granted… I will always treasure the lessons you taught me. I will...
