Person in the Parsha: Vayigash

December 18, 2020

By RABBI TZVI HERSH WEINREB

“FORGIVENESS: A JEWISH VALUE“

This has got to be one of the oldest “rabbi” jokes in the entire repertoire of American Jewish humor. 

Person in the Parsha: Miketz

December 17, 2020

By RABBI TZVI HERSH WEINREB

“AN END TO DARKNESS“

 Typically, this week’s Torah portion, Parshat Miketz (Genesis 41:1-44:17), is read during Chanukah. This year is an exception. This Shabbat, we read Miketz on...

Off the Pulpit: The Good Enough Child

December 11, 2020

By RABBI DAVID WOLPE

The renowned English psychoanalyst, Donald Winnicott, famously proposed the idea of the “good enough mother.” Winnicott taught that parents should understand that they cannot provide everything the child demands. Yes, the child will grow frustrated, but...

Person in the Parsha: Vayashev

December 04, 2020

By RABBI TZVI HERSH WEINREB

“HIS FATHER’S FEARS“

There are many ways to interpret biblical texts. Some commentaries take a literal approach, others probe for deeper meanings. The great Chassidic masters, beginning with the...

Off the Pulpit: Speaking God’s name

December 03, 2020

By RABBI DAVID WOLPE

There are various legends of the Golem, the creature of clay who is brought to life by a wonder working rabbi. The most famous involves that of Rabbi Judah Loew, the famed Maharal of Prague.

In these...

Person in the Parsha: Vayishlach

November 27, 2020

By RABBI TZVI HERSH WEINREB

“HE IS NOT A CANDYMAN“ 

I was privileged to have had several informal conversations with a well-known sage from a previous generation. I will share...

Off the Pulpit: Is Israel a miracle?

November 27, 2020

By RABBI DAVID WOLPE

It is not easy to demonstrate miracles, but here are three things about the modern state of Israel that make one wonder:

1.The people who created the state came almost entirely from dictatorships and autocracies and...

Person in the Parsha: Vayetze

November 20, 2020

By RABBI TZVI HERSH WEINREB

“WHAT’S IN A NAME?“ 

“Who am I?” This is the most powerful question that a person ever asks himself. For many of us, there are no easy answers...

Off the Pulpit: Frivol today!

November 20, 2020

By RABBI DAVID WOLPE

“Why are you doing that?” “What’s that for?”

Modern society makes us captives of teleology. That is, we think we should be acting for a reason and aiming toward a goal. We are supposed to be living...

Person in the Parsha: Toldot

November 13, 2020

By RABBI TZVI HERSH WEINREB 

“STRENGTH, PATIENCE AND HOPE“

When I was a young boy, I had two distinct images of a strong man. One was of Charles Atlas. Do you remember him?...