Ethics

Posts related to Jewish Ethics.

Matot-Massei: Blaming Others? Hold the Phone!

About a month ago, I posted a D'var Torah about our obligation to give people the “benefit of the doubt” and even to “make excuses” for them, unless their prior behavior demonstrated that doing so would clearly be unjustified.  Little did I... Continue Reading »
Jul 21
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Ethics

Balak: The Satan Within Us

Do Jews believe in Satan?  For many of us, “Of course not!” is the likely answer.  Indeed, the question itself may seem entirely non-Jewish.   Except that this week’s Torah portion (Balak) states:  “The angel of the Lord pl... Continue Reading »
Jul 07
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Jewish Rituals, Ethics

Chukkat: Not for the Sake of Argument

It’s a cliché about Jews with which we can’t argue: we argue. But that doesn’t mean we’re good at it.  That when arguing we are either fair or persuasive.  It’s ironic, because we should be good at it – not primarily through constant pract... Continue Reading »
Jun 29
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Israel, Ethics

Shelach-Lecha: Half Your Cup Runneth Over.

Are you a “glass is half full” person or a “glass is half empty” person?  And if the latter, is that anyone’s business but your own? American law does not seek to govern attitude, but Jewish law certainly does. Jewish law's aim is much more tha... Continue Reading »
Jun 16
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Ethics

Be-Ha'alotekha: A Humble Request

Dear Friends, As is my practice, I surveyed several compendia on Jewish ethics to choose this week’s D’var Torah topic -- humility.  I then checked to see whether I previously posted about it and was reminded that I have, twice, ["Take Your Lea]... Continue Reading »
Jun 09
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Ethics

Naso: Shalom Bayit Not Worth Spit?

According to Jewish law, the Divine Name must be treated with great care.  We may not use it improperly, nor obscure nor destroy it when it is written on any object.  How, then, are we to understand the apparently sacrilegious judicial pro... Continue Reading »
Jun 02
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Ethics

Bamidbar: Torah Study Not Required?

Surprisingly, the Torah does not explicitly command us to study Torah!  The King of Israel was required to write for himself two copies and read one his entire life. (Deut. 17:19).  Moses decreed that a copy be placed aside the Ark of the ... Continue Reading »
May 26
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Jewish Rituals, Ethics

Behar: People Are Astounded by What's in This Dvar Torah!

“Puffing” refers to advertising and other selling activities that exaggerate the quality or benefit of goods or services.  Under American law, puffing is legal, so long as it can be reasonably construed as a matter of opinion.  But Judaism... Continue Reading »
May 19
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Ethics

Emor: Would You Wear a Yarmulke in Public?

I read with interest this week’s Reform Movement “Ten Minutes of Torah,” entitled, “How to Decide About Wearing a Yarmulke.”  The article, written by Rabbi P. J. Schwartz, appears to refer to wearing a yarmulke in public.    I gr... Continue Reading »
May 12
Posted in: Torah Commentary, Jewish Rituals, Ethics

Tazria-Metzora: A Plague Upon You!

One of my favorite Talmudic maxims is: “[G-d] created the Evil Inclination, and the Torah as its antidote.” (Kiddushin 30b).  I like it for two reasons.  First, it makes Torah, Judaism, and G-d relevant to every moment of our lives. ... Continue Reading »
Apr 28
Posted in: Torah Commentary, 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