Torah Commentary

Understanding Israel Segment #1: The 2015 Election: The Role of Political Parties

Understanding Israel Segment #1: The 2015 Election: The Role of Political Parties
[Note: If you prefer listening, please scroll to the end and click on the attached audio file.]  In six weeks, March 17th, 2015, corresponding to the 26th of Adar, 5775 on the Jewish calendar, Israeli citizens will again head to the polls to ... Continue Reading »
Feb 06
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Israel, Podcast

Beshalach: Where is the manna sample?

Beshalach: Where is the manna sample?
G-d commanded Moses to preserve a manna sample for future generations “in order that they see the bread that I fed you in the desert when I took you out of the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 16:32-34).  For reasons unknown, the sample is... Continue Reading »
Jan 30
Posted in: Torah Commentary

Bo: How You Can Help End the Ninth Plague

Bo: How You Can Help End the Ninth Plague
You probably remember that death of the first-born was the tenth and last of the increasingly awful Biblical plagues.  It was the one that finally broke Pharaoh’s iron will and obstinacy.    But which was the ninth, nearly-as-... Continue Reading »
Jan 23
Posted in: Torah Commentary

Lech L'cha: End the Occupation!

Lech L'cha: End the Occupation!
G-d was just testing Avram (Abraham) when G-d ordered him to “Lech L’cha (‘Go forth‘) to a land that I will show you.”  Unfortunately, Avram failed the test.   He went, but when he discovered that the land w... Continue Reading »
Oct 31
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Israel

Noah: No Jewish missionaries, just a Jewish mission.

Although the annual prescribed period for Jews to engage in intense introspection has just passed, it’s always timely to ask ourselves these two questions:  1.    What is the fundamental purpose of my life?   2.&nbs... Continue Reading »
Oct 24
Posted in: Torah Commentary

B'reshit: In the (New) Beginning, the Holidays Were Over!

B'reshit: In the (New) Beginning, the Holidays Were Over!
I’ve just returned from celebrating a raucous Shimini Azeret/Simchat Torah holiday (these are the same day in Israel) in Efrat, the only town (pop. about 10,000) among smaller enclaves in the Gush Etzion “block” of Jewish settlement... Continue Reading »
Oct 17
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Jewish Holidays , Israel

Why Didn't the Israeli Middle Class Protests Succeed?

Why Didn't the Israeli Middle Class Protests Succeed?
Why didn’t the 2011 Israeli street protests succeed?  Last week, I introduced veteran Israel-analyst Jim Lederman and his recent comments about growing consensus in Israeli society. Jim had made a passing reference in his blog to the fa... Continue Reading »
Oct 17
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Israel

Rejoicing in the Growing Consensus in Israel

Rejoicing in the Growing Consensus in Israel
This past Thursday morning, in my schul’s sukkah after services, I met a young British couple newly arrived on their first visit to Israel.  Returning to our apartments, they marveled at how silent Jerusalem felt on this first day of Sukko... Continue Reading »
Oct 11
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Israel

Ki Teizei: Parapets and You

Ki Teizei: Parapets and You
A man with no history of medical problems suffers a seizure while driving. His out-of-control car veers onto the sidewalk and severely injures several people. Is he liable?  That question was put to our class on my first day of law schoo... Continue Reading »
Sep 05
Posted in: Torah Commentary

Shoftim: "Scout" and Pursue Justice

Shoftim: "Scout" and Pursue Justice
It’s been many years – decades, actually – since I’ve thought about my youth in the Boy Scouts.  As I realize this, I’m at least a little surprised.  I was extremely active in scouting, including serving as a &... Continue Reading »
Aug 29
Posted in: Torah Commentary
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A bird that you set free may be caught again, but a word that escapes your lips will not return.
Jewish Proverb