Ethics

Posts related to Jewish Ethics.

Va'era: You've Got Your Problems; I've Got Mine.

[ Watch or listen to this D'var Torah ] In the mid-WWII movie classic Casablanca, a young woman approaches Café-owner “Rick” (played by Humphrey Bogart) and tells him her problems.   She asks him for advice and reassurance that ... Continue Reading »
Jan 15
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Ethics

Shemot: Keep the Faith

View Video In this week’s Torah portion, Sh’mot, the first in the Book of Exodus, G-d appears to Moses from within the burning bush and instructs him to return to Egypt and lead the Israelites to freedom.  But Moses responds, &nb... Continue Reading »
Jan 08
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Ethics

Leviticus: Don't Be So Forward!

The Book of Leviticus opens with G-d calling to Moses from the Tent of Meeting, “saying: ‘Speak to the Children of Israel and say to them…’” The phrasing is odd.  Why the apparently superfluous word “saying” (Leimor)? Our sages’ answer was tha... Continue Reading »
Mar 16
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Ethics

Vayeshev: You should have stopped me!

When I’m driving with my wife, I express annoyance when she tells me where to turn.  But what annoys me even more is her remaining quiet, as a result of my first complaint, when I make a wrong turn!   This is similar to a story told by the... Continue Reading »
Dec 07
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Ethics

Vaiyetzei: How to Bargain with G-d

Is it okay to try to bargain with G-d for what we want, and if so, what's the most likely effective method? In this week’s Parashah, Vayeitzei, Jacob flees from his brother Esau after receiving their father’s blessing through trickery.   J... Continue Reading »
Nov 26
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Jewish Rituals, Ethics

Toledot: Hunting and Guns in Judaism

“When the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the outdoors.”  Genesis 25:27  It’s hard to think of an area that more starkly contrasts American and Jewish culture than hunting and guns.  They are hugely popular in Am... Continue Reading »
Nov 16
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Ethics

Chai Sarah: How Should We Help Others?

In this week’s Torah portion Abraham sends his servant Eliezer to find a wife for Isaac.  Abraham provides no criteria other than that she must come from the land of Abraham’s birth.  The future character of the Jewish people is in Eliezer’... Continue Reading »
Nov 10
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Ethics

Va-Yera: How Do You Know?

My four-year-old grandson – to whom I haven’t even mentioned law school yet, much less explained “cross-examination” -- has picked up the habit of asking me, “How do you know?” whenever I make a statement.  It can be annoying, but it’s also a wo... Continue Reading »
Nov 03
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Ethics

Ki Teizei: Human Nature is Not a Croc

In Kenya last month, I watched several hundred migrating wildebeest and zebra cross a river. The animals gathered on the bank and milled around nervously until one literally “took the plunge.” The others followed in a mad dash for the rocky slope on ... Continue Reading »
Sep 01
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Jewish Rituals, Ethics

Devarim: Did You Ask the Boss?

Asking G-d for help with difficult decisions or actions (even though actually an integral part of many prayers) is something that many of us associate more with “Twelve Step” programs, or with “fundamentalist” adherents of other religions, than with ... Continue Reading »
Jul 28
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Jewish Rituals, Ethics
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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