A Jew At Heart In my years as a rabbi, people often tell me that they’re a Jew at heart- that even if they didn’t practice much ritually, nonetheless, they Continue Reading »
Models of Leadership Greatness comes in many shapes and sizes. While it’s hard to define, we all know it when we see it. Jacob recognizes exceptional potential in both of Continue Reading »
Embracing Our Commonality While we clean the wax off our Chanukah menorahs and consume the last of our Chanukah gelt, the Christmas lights shine brighter every day. We may feel Continue Reading »
Angels In Our Lives When we’re afraid and feeling insecure, wouldn’t it be great if we had some direct assurance from God? Jacob was one such lucky person. Upon fleeing Continue Reading »
Judging Earlier Generations: Progress, Not Perfection While the actions of our Patriarchs and Matriarchs at times seem highly questionable, the rabbis rarely criticize them. One of the notable exceptions is Continue Reading »
Going Where No Jews Have Gone Before… The first marriage of two Jews takes place in our parsha: Isaac marries Rebecca. There’s not much detail about the wedding: Rebecca lowers Continue Reading »
Abraham’s Legacy “Have you ever been in the company of someone who lavishly extolled the virtues of a muffin?” asks Mendel Sternhull. “No? Then you didn’t have the pleasure of accompanying Continue Reading »
Marriage and Relationships 1.0 and 2.0 After a year of confinement on the Ark, tending to animals, mourning for lost friends and wondering about the future, Noah and his family Continue Reading »
Rising to the Occasion King Solomon exhorts us to strive for achievement both in our youth and in our old age. “In the morning sow your seed, and in the Continue Reading »
The Story of the Trustee Siblings There’s a short story by Leo Tolstoy that I’d like to share with you tonight. I know what you’re thinking, “Knowing the rabbi, it’s Continue Reading »