Person in the Parsha: Chukat

June 11, 2021

By RABBI TZVI HERSH WEINREB

“The Many Songs of Leadership” 

Everyone has his or her own voice. Some express it loudly and clearly; some just mumble or whisper. There are those who let their voices...

Off the Pulpit: The Failure of Success

June 11, 2021

By RABBI DAVID WOLPE

People often speak about the lessons one can learn from failure. We know that failure can teach you humility, resilience and a certain acceptance of the inequities of life. There are also lessons to learn from early success,...

Person in the Parsha: Korach

June 04, 2021

By RABBI TZVI HERSH WEINREB

“THE SECRET OF REMAINING CORRECT“ 

Very often, we think that if a person is especially spiritual, he cannot possibly be very practical. It is as if religious devotion...

Off the Pulpit: Is it my fault?

June 04, 2021

By RABBI DAVID WOLPE

When something bad or tragic happens to people, they will often say, “what did I do to deserve this?” Many people insist that nothing happens without a reason. Karma, or what you put out there, is...

Person in the Parsha: Shelach

May 28, 2021

By RABBI TZVI HERSH WEINREB

“TRUE BLUE” 

This week, I begin by taking the liberty of sharing two very personal experiences with you. Neither experience felt momentous at the time they occurred, but...

Off the Pulpit: The trap of acclaim

May 28, 2021

By RABBI DAVID WOLPE

The Athenian general Phocion was considered the wisest politician of his day, although he often opposed the prevailing consensus. Once, when his speech was interrupted by enthusiastic cheering, he paused: “Have I inadvertently said something stupid?”

Person in the Parsha: Beha’alotecha

May 20, 2021

By RABBI TZVI HERSH WEINREB  

“A CANDLE OF GOD IS THE SOUL OF MAN” 

I no longer remember which Israeli artist colony I was visiting. Perhaps Jaffa. But I will never...

Off the Pulpit: A true hero

May 20, 2021

By RABBI DAVID WOLPE

In 1930 Winston Churchill asked, “Can a nation remain healthy, can all nations draw together, in a world whose brightest stars are film stars?” That question is far more cogent today than it was when Churchill first...

Person in the Parsha: Naso

May 14, 2021

By RABBI TZVI HERSH WEINREB

“SANCTITY AND SANCTIMONY“

We are all full of contradictions. There is a part of us which is noble, kind and generous. But there is another part that is selfish...

Off the Pulpit: From beyond the grave

May 14, 2021

By RABBI DAVID WOLPE

The poet Langston Hughes asked that a particular Duke Ellington song be played at his funeral: “Do Nothing Until You Hear From Me.”

Is such a thing possible? The idea of hearing messages from beyond the grave...