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 Beha’alotekha – 5786
June 2, 2026
Rabbi Anat Katzir
A Reflection on Symbols, Service, and the Future of Am Yisrael A D’var Torah for Parashat Beha’alotekha By Rabbi Anat Katzir Parashat Beha’alotekha opens with the image of one of the most enduring symbols of the Jewish people: דַּבֵּר֙ אֶֽל־אַהֲרֹ֔ן וְאָמַרְתָּ֖ אֵלָ֑יו בְּהַעֲלֹֽתְךָ֙ אֶת־הַנֵּרֹ֔ת אֶל־מוּל֙ פְּנֵ֣י הַמְּנוֹרָ֔ה יָאִ֖ירוּ שִׁבְעַ֥ת הַנֵּרֽוֹת׃ “Speak to Aaron and say to him: When you raise up the lamps, let the seven lamps give light at the front of the menorah.” (Numbers 8:2) The menorah becomes more than a ritual object. It is a symbol of continuity, responsibility, and resilience of Am Yisrael. Throughout Jewish history, the menorah has represented the spiritual light of the Jewish people. Today, it is also the emblem of the modern State of Israel, reminding us that Jewish sovereignty must be rooted not only in power, but in moral purpose. The menorah symbolizes a Judaism that radiates outward. The light was...
Shavuot 5786
May 20, 2026
Cantor Sandy Horowitz
In this week’s D’var Torah, Cantor Sandy Horowitz reflects on Shavuot as an opportunity to re-enact the moment of revelation at Sinai, and looks at how the chanting of the Ten Commandments supports us in this endeavor.
Parashat Naso – 5786
May 19, 2026
Rabbi Scott “Shalom” Klein
A D’var Torah for Parashat Naso By Rabbi Scott “Shalom” Klein Parashat Naso opens with the command “Naso et rosh“—to “lift the head” of the sons of Gershon (Numbers 4:22). While the text begins with a census of those carrying the physical burdens of the Sanctuary, it culminates in the Birkat Kohanim, the Priestly Blessing, which provides the spiritual “lifting” for the entire nation. This transition from the labor of the Levites to the grace of the Kohanim offers a masterclass in leadership: the sustainability of any mission depends on a leader’s ability to not only manage the logistics of the “heavy lift” but to actively invoke a culture of protection, clarity, and peace. The Sfat Emet (Sfat Emet, Naso 1) explains that “lifting the head” is a prerequisite for service. He suggests that every individual possesses a unique spark that can only be activated when they recognize their specific...
Parashat Bemidbar – 5786
May 11, 2026
Rabbi Kaya Stern-Kaufman
A D’var Torah for Parashat Bemidbar By Rabba Kaya Stern-Kaufman Just two months ago I lost my soul mate, my beloved husband, to cancer. He was the love of my life. My world has turned upside down. I find myself in an unrecognizable terrain, a wilderness with no clear reference points. He was my compass and my North Star. Yet, despite my personal loss, I am fairly certain that this feeling of disorientation is not unique to me. We are all experiencing such rapid societal changes, both domestically and internationally, that many of us are falling into despair, grief, fear, and disorientation. Norms, structures and societal agreements that held us together, that championed the good of all, over individual greed and gain, seem to have dissolved overnight under the brute force of humanity’s most base instincts; the endless desire for personal gain and power through the proliferation of fear, hatred...
Parshiyot Behar-Behukotai – 5786
May 4, 2026
Rabbi Cantor Inna Serebro-Litvak ('16)
A D’var Torah for Parshiyot Behar-Behukotai By Rabbi Inna Serebro-Litvak Last month I was trying to make plans to meet with friends for dinner. We kept going through our calendars in search of a convenient day. Twice we actually thought we had found a date that would work for us all but then someone would remember another event that was already scheduled for that date and we would have to start all over again. Finally, we settled on getting together on June 13, which was two months away from the time we started figuring it out! We all have such busy calendars that we almost never have a chance to experience the spontaneity of just calling someone and getting together that same day. These days we almost always have to make plans in advance! But I have a much different experience when I travel to Israel. When I am visiting...
