Torah Commentary

Responsibility -- A True Story

Responsibility -- A True Story
“All Jews are Responsible For One Another” (Talmud, Shevuot 39a)  “Adoni, atah yachol l’azor li?”  (Sir, can you help me?”) There was no one else around, so he must be talking to me.   I tur... Continue Reading »
May 12
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Jewish Rituals, Israel

Behar/Emor: Consistently Inconsistent

Behar/Emor: Consistently Inconsistent
I’ve returned to Israel, where this week’s Torah reading is B’har. Back in America, though – and everywhere in the Diaspora, – this week’s Torah portion is Emor, which was read last week here.   The diverge... Continue Reading »
May 08
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Jewish Holidays , Israel

Kedoshim: Love to disagree? Disagree to love!

Kedoshim: Love to disagree? Disagree to love!
“What can I learn from (you/him/her/them)?”  This is not normally the question we ask ourselves when deciding whether to meet with someone.  But if it was, we would be acting to fulfill what no less an authority than Rabbi Ak... Continue Reading »
May 01
Posted in: Torah Commentary

No Jewish Future Without Israel?

This week, speaking at Israeli Memorial Day (Yom HaZikaron) ceremonies, Prime Minister Netanyahu said: “… we find comfort in the fact that these sons and daughters died for the noblest of causes: to ensure the survival of this nation.... Continue Reading »
Apr 24
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Israel

Vayikra: Guilt is good.

Vayikra: Guilt is good.
“Guilty pleasure” usually refers to enjoying a trivial action that is nominally harmful -- like eating a rich chocolate bon-bon (but only one!) rather than a piece of fruit.  But although this is indeed a trivial example, the princip... Continue Reading »
Mar 20
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Podcast

Understanding Israel: Election Part 6: My Vote

Understanding Israel: Election Part 6: My Vote
“I can’t accept Arabs as 30% of the ruling coalition.  Fortunately, I don’t have to.  I’ll vote for Buji [Herzog] and Tzipi [Livni]… they’ll win … but they don’t have a coalition, so Bibi wi... Continue Reading »
Mar 15
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Israel, Podcast

Understanding Israel: Election: Part Five

Understanding Israel: Election: Part Five
[If you prefer to listen to this post, please scroll down to the end and click on the attached audio file.]  Can Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu win this election even if he loses it? The short answer is “yes.”  Current pol... Continue Reading »
Mar 06
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Israel, Podcast

Understanding Israel, Part Four, Elections

Understanding Israel, Part Four, Elections
[To listen to this posting, please scroll to the end and click on the attached audio file].   With the election less than three weeks away, the latest polls show Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Likud party in a tie – or even slightly b... Continue Reading »
Feb 27
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Israel, Podcast

Understanding Israel: The 2015 Election Part Three: Religious Parties

Understanding Israel: The 2015 Election Part Three: Religious Parties
[To listen to this segment, please scroll down to the end and click on the attached audio file.] One of the principal “fault lines” in Israeli politics is whether Israel should be a Jewish state or a state of the Jews.  “Jew... Continue Reading »
Feb 20
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Israel, Podcast

Understanding Israel, Segment #2: The 2015 Election: Arab Parties

Understanding Israel, Segment #2: The 2015 Election: Arab Parties
[To listen to this post, please scroll to the end and click on the attached file.] This week, in Part Two of “Understanding Israel, The 2015 Election: Israel Politics and the Party System,” let’s look at the Arab parties.   ... Continue Reading »
Feb 12
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Israel, Podcast
Page 9 of 22First   Previous   4  5  6  7  8  [9]  10  11  12  13  Next   Last   

A bird that you set free may be caught again, but a word that escapes your lips will not return.
Jewish Proverb