Entries for October 2012

Lech L'cha: Set Your Preferences?

Lech L'cha: Set Your Preferences?
Watch/hear this 3 min D'var Torah: http://youtu.be/iXk3x7fsVTw  Throughout Jewish history, our sages have commented on the strange phraseology of G-d’s command to Abraham: Lech L’cha to the land that I will show you.&nb... Continue Reading »

Noah: G-d's Failed Policies?

Noah: G-d's Failed Policies?

 

During this election season, the candidates and parties hotly dispute the wisdom of leadership policies.  Judaism has a long tradition of challenging even Divine policies, both contemplated and implemented (the Book of Job being the preeminent example), though always stopping short of rejecting or dismissing G-d. How then might we judge G-d’s most dramatic and violent policy: wiping out virtually all life on earth?

 

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Oct 18

B'reishit: Divine Et-iquette

B'reishit: Divine Et-iquette

 

Some months ago on Jeopardy! a seminary student appeared as a contestant.  During his brief on-air interview, he offered, and was invited, to recite the first verse of the Bible in Hebrew. ...

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Oct 12

Vzot Habrachah: Jewish Views of G-d

Vzot Habrachah: Jewish Views of G-d

For this Shabbat, an intermediate day of the joyous Sukkot festival, our sages assigned a special holiday reading from Exodus and Leviticus.  The final Torah portion, Vzot Habracha, will be read on Tuesday for Simchat Torah, whereupon we will begin the Torah anew with B’reishit next Shabbat.  This, therefore, being my only opportunity to share thoughts about the final Torah portion, I’ll jump ahead and do so now.  ...

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Oct 05

If charity cost nothing, the world would be full of philanthropists.
Jewish Proverb