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Joan Lenowitz Just when our own breathing quickens, as Joseph, Jacob's favorite, is thrown into the pit and then sold off by his treacherous brothers in one of the most suspenseful narratives in the Torah, there comes a pregnant pause. The scene recedes from view, with Joseph on his way to his daring adventures in Read More >

By Hayley Siegel At face value, our currency is just a simple piece of paper. That currency only becomes activated when we invest it with our trust in each other and our institutions, and receive that trust in return from others. However, if we look into our world today, there is a lack of trust Read More >

By Mark H. Getman Forgiveness comes in many shades and gradations. In Vayigash we read of Joseph's forgiveness towards his brothers. As we see in Genesis 45:5 "And now, do not be troubled, nor let it be disturbing in your eyes that you have sold me into this place, for God sent me before you Read More >

By Molly Karp Our parashah this week, Vayehi, records the deaths of both Jacob and Joseph, and allows us to see that both of these two well-flawed individuals seem to grow significantly in character. They are able to look back at their mistakes and do some things differently at the end. Adopting Joseph's sons Ephraim Read More >

By Paul Hoffman This week has been one of history-in-the-making as the first man of color was the people's overwhelming favorite to step into the White House and assume the Presidency of the USA. As with every new administration, it is only normal for Americans to hope that a significant level of change for the Read More >

By Jill Hackell Parashat Bo is the climax of the story of the Exodus from Egypt. Pharaoh seems on the verge of letting the people go; indeed his courtiers are already convinced that Egypt is lost. Yet, heart-hardened, he refuses permission again, and three more plagues are unleashed - locusts, darkness, and the most terrible Read More >

Parashat B'shalah By Bruce Alpert Twenty-eight years ago - like today - the US watched a new administration come to power. Perhaps Ronald Reagan's most controversial appointee was his designated Secretary of State, Alexander Haig who, as a retired general, was feared to have the same militaristic instincts as his new boss. During his confirmation Read More >

Moses learns a lesson in management Irwin Huberman There once was a CEO of a major corporation whose dedication to his work and to his employees was legendary. He would arrive at his desk at sunrise, and would not return home until well past nightfall. For the entire day he would not only attend to Read More >

Enid C. Lader In last week's Torah portion, we were commanded to "Honor your father and your mother..." [Ex. 20:12] As we recall the mitzvah, we usually stop with these six (in English; five in Hebrew) words. But, wait; there's more! The verse continues: "... that you may prolong your days on the land that Read More >

Doug Alpert This week's parashah, Terumah,is arguably one of the less enthralling parashot in the Torah. God instructs Moshe Rabeinu, Moses Our Teacher, regarding the building of the Mishkan-the Holy Tabernacle. The ensuing instructions are provided in exhaustive detail challenging the reader, as well as many of our great Biblical exegetes to derive meaning and Read More >