Off the Pulpit: The Secret of Memory

November 05, 2021

By RABBI DAVID WOLPE

Renowned historian Yosef Haim Yerushalmi once noted that the Jewish people were the first in history who saw memory as a religious obligation. In his aptly titled book Zakhor, “Remember,” he traced the ways in which...

Person in the Parsha: Toldot

October 29, 2021

By RABBI TZVI HERSH WEINREB

“DIFFERENT FORMS OF POWER“

The professor was wrong. But in his field of expertise, he was always right.

His name was Dr. Dennis Wrong, and his surname...

Off the Pulpit: Recognizing God

October 29, 2021

By RABBI DAVID WOLPE

How did Abraham first come to God? The Torah does not say, although the Rabbis offer stories to explain.

One imagines that Abraham was like a man who spots a palace in flames. He cries out,...

Person in the Parsha: Chayei Sarah

October 22, 2021

By RABBI TZVI HERSH WEINREB

“MOURNING SARAH“

 Grief is the most powerful and most painful of human emotions. Yet, it is an emotion which few human beings can avoid in their lifetime. We...

Off the Pulpit: Bring back the noise

October 21, 2021

By RABBI DAVID WOLPE

For years we had a problem at morning minyan. There is a day school in the synagogue, which is a great blessing. The kids arrive around the time of the minyan, which is less of a...

Person in the Parsha: Vayera

October 15, 2021

By RABBI TZVI HERSH WEINREB

“TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS“

There was a coffee shop in the town in which I once lived. It was part of a national chain, so that all kinds of people...

Off the Pulpit: A Tradition of Song

October 15, 2021

By RABBI DAVID WOLPE

In synagogue we do something that people in society rarely do – we sing together.

Our greatest heroes composed shirim – the Hebrew word for Psalm and also for song. Moses sang, Miriam sang, and King...

Person in the Parsha: Lech Lecha

October 08, 2021

By RABBI TZVI HERSH WEINREB

“ANCESTRAL DECISIONS“ 

Most people do not give much thought to their ancestral origins. But some do, and I am one of them. I often wonder about my grandparents...

Off the Pulpit: The Gift of Growth

October 08, 2021

By RABBI DAVID WOLPE

One of the unfortunate aspects of current culture is that the antagonisms are counterproductive: insulting someone makes them less susceptible to change. Who would wish to join the side that has vilified them? The ratcheting up of rhetoric...

Person in the Parsha: Noach

October 08, 2021

By RABBI TZVI HERSH WEINREB

“CONNECTING THE DOTS“ 

Only a few of the games that I played during my childhood are still popular today. One of them is “connect the dots.” Nowadays, it...