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What God Wants of Us By Irwin Huberman For thousands of years, rabbis, scholars, and commentators have parsed, dissected, and analyzed the laws of the Torah to help better understand one thing: What does God want of us? Tradition tells us that we are created B'tzelem Elohim - in the image of God. If only Read More >

By David Ian Cavill I think that when most of us look at Exodus 25:8 "And let them make Me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them." (New JPS) it reads as a commandment from God. We see instruction and a promise from God to be present among the people if the mikdash (sanctuary) Read More >

By Halina Rubinstein This week's Torah portion, Tetzaveh (Ex.27:20-30:10), is also Shabbat Zakhor, the Shabbat before Purim. We will read this portion as well as the verses that command us to remember the encounter of Israel in the wilderness with Amalek (Deut. 25:17-19), who sought to destroy them cruelly and gratuitously. Generations later, Saul's failure Read More >

By Julius Rabinowitz As we go through our daily routines, the concept of 'giving' enters our thoughts and, it is hoped, our actions. Often times this concept manifests itself through obligatory or routine giving. Perhaps it arises in the course of providing for our family or other household members, for example, putting breakfast on the Read More >

By Michael G. Kohn Jews speak often and passionately about 'community.' Whether it is 'the Jewish community,' or 'our community,' the word conjures up something special, something important. But 'community' is more than a word; it is a living, breathing, organic entity that we Jews have tried to build and perfect for millennia. For all Read More >

Parshat Tzav: Through the Lens of Healing by Margaret Frisch Klein At first glance this week's portion, parashat Tzav would appear to be dry ' perhaps appropriate for wandering in the desert ' but, in reality, there is much to glean from it about healing. My teacher, Rabbi Nehemia Polen, talks about the importance of Read More >

Parashat Va-yiqra Paul Hoffman "And Abel he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord inclined towards Abel and his offering." (Genesis 4:3) From this passage in Genesis we understand that the institution of sacrifice is as old as the human race itself. Religious instinct is an Read More >

Appreciating Freedom By Neal L. Spevack How can one fully appreciate freedom? The abstention from eating hametz (leavened bread products) is a symbolic activity designed to help us appreciate our freedom. And the absence and presence of hametz in the house can be thought of as a symbol of the morally right and wrong choices Read More >

Parashat Shemini Heidi Hoover In recent years, soy has become popular among American vegetarians and others trying to eat a more healthy diet. It is a great source of protein without the fat and cholesterol of meat. The presence of soy in Asian diets has been associated with the low level of heart disease in Read More >

Parashat Tazri`a-M'tzora By Simon Rosenbach So, we had 48 hours of rain some years ago and our sump pump failed. Well, we had tons of stuff in the basement, although nothing really good, and we were leaving for Florida in four days, and we naturally went into a panic. How will we ever clean up? Read More >