Person in the Parsha: Mishpatim

February 02, 2024

By RABBI TZVI HERSH WEINREB

“CAREERS”

“What do you want to be when you grow up?” That was once the standard question to ask an eight- or nine-year-old when trying to make conversation with...

Rav-Elations!: God Bless the Stubborn

February 02, 2024

By RABBI DAVID GERBER

Now that we have marched through the parted Sea of Reeds in our Torah, it is time for the long, winding journey through the desert.

As you might expect, the Jewish people had some complaints about...

Person in the Parsha: Yitro

January 26, 2024

By RABBI TZVI HERSH WEINREB 

“I KNOW NOW VS. NOW I KNOW”

Assembling complicated gadgets is generally facilitated by the printed instructions that the factory provides. Occasionally, however, there are no instructions, either because...

Rav-Elations!: The Song of the Sea

January 26, 2024

By RABBI DAVID GERBER

Shabbat Shirim (Shabbat of Song) is one of the most visually and musically interesting days on the Jewish calendar. Since we read about the ancient Israelites’ redemption by crossing the parted Red Sea, we are commanded...

Person in the Parsha: Beshalach

January 19, 2024

By RABBI TZVI HERSH WEINREB 

“HORSE AND RIDER“

Pharaoh was just the first.

One way of looking at Jewish history is as a series of encounters with evil rulers. Pharaoh, whom we have been reading about these past...

Rav-Elations! Embracing Miracles in Imperfection

January 19, 2024

By RABBI DAVID GERBER

At the burning bush, God entrusted Moses with the monumental task of confronting the formidable Pharaoh and demanding the release of the people of Israel. Moses, characterized by both humility and self-awareness, acknowledged his speech impediment...

Person in the Parsha: Bo

January 12, 2024

By RABBI TZVI HERSH WEINREB

“FLOW”

Sometimes we feel inspired. We may be working hard, but we don’t seem to mind, because we love the work we are doing and believe in it.

Rav-Elations!: Recognizing the Extraordinary in the Ordinary

January 12, 2024

By RABBI DAVID GERBER

One of the most profound moments in the Torah unfolds as God calls out to Moses from a peculiar burning bush—an awe-inspiring sight that defies the laws of nature, as the flames dance without consuming the...

Person in the Parsha: Va’era

January 05, 2024

By RABBI TZVI HERSH WEINREB

“ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS”

“They don’t make them the way they used to.” We have all heard this comment with reference to all sorts of things, usually tools...

Rav-Elations!: Happy New Year(s)

December 29, 2023

By RABBI DAVID GERBER

There are four new years on the Jewish calendar. We have Rosh Hashanah (the first of Tishrei), the first of Nisan (when the Exodus began), the first of Elul, and Tu B’Shevat (the fifteenth of Shevat).