Person in the Parsha: Ki Tavo

August 20, 2021

By RABBI TZVI HERSH WEINREB

“DIDN’T YOU SEE THEM?“

 It is a question that I learned never to ask. I first learned this lesson in my training as a psychotherapist, long ago. I...

Off the Pulpit: Wounding and Forgiving

August 20, 2021

By RABBI DAVID WOLPE Right before Yom Kippur two women who have had a long standing fight see one another in the synagogue. One says: “You know, it is a new year. It is time to put an end to...

Person in the Parsha: Ki Tetzei

August 13, 2021

By RABBI TZVI HERSH WEINREB

“AND THE WINNER IS…”

It was the first time that I announced a contest from the pulpit. It felt like a risky thing to do, and...

Off the Pulpit: A Typical Jew?

August 12, 2021

By RABBI DAVID WOLPE

The sinew of paradox runs through Jewish history. Were Jews and gentiles separate in the Middle Ages? Well yes, but there are also rules about hiring a gentile wet nurse on the sabbath which suggests a...

Person in the Parshah: Shoftim

August 06, 2021

By RABBI TZVI HERSH WEINREB

“DARWIN AND THE MUSSAR MOVEMENT“

Ethics is a subject about which we all have many questions. What makes an ethical personality? How do we make ethical decisions in complicated...

Off the Pulpit: Why I love mystery novels

August 06, 2021

By RABBI DAVID WOLPE

From the moment I read my first Agatha Christie and my mother gave me a John MacDonald, I’ve been hooked on mysteries. From Holmes to Bosch, I read classic, golden age mysteries, international mysteries, noir, psychological...

Person in the Parsha: Re’eh

July 30, 2021

By RABBI TZVI HERSH WEINREB

“ACQUIRING FAITH“

This week’s Torah portion, Parshat Re’eh (Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17), invariably is read near the beginning of the Hebrew month of Elul. Elul is the last month of...

Off the Pulpit: Breaking the glass

July 30, 2021

By RABBI DAVID WOLPE

Before the groom steps on a glass to conclude the wedding ceremony, there is a tradition of reciting part of the 137th Psalm, “If I forget thee O Jerusalem…”

The most immediate explanation of this is...

Person in the Parsha: Eikev

July 23, 2021

By RABBI TZVI HERSH WEINREB

“DISCIPLINE AND SUFFERING“ 

As a parent, grandparent, and psychologist, I am often considered to be something of an expert on parenting and child-rearing. In that capacity, I have...

Off the Pulpit: Reason and Passion

July 23, 2021

By RABBI DAVID WOLPE

The Spanish existentialist philosopher Miguel De Unamuno once explained the difference between conventional philosophy and existentialism by reworking the classical syllogism. Students in logic are taught that Socrates is a man; all men are mortal; therefore...