Off the Pulpit: Against anger

June 19, 2020

By RABBI DAVID WOLPE

In an angry age, may we say a word against anger?

“Every person who becomes angry, even if a sage, his wisdom departs from him. If he is a prophet, his prophecy departs from him. (Pes....

Person in the Parsha: Shelach

June 12, 2020

By RABBI TZVI HERSH WEINREB

“TWO TYPES OF PEOPLE“

For the past several months, we have all been struggling with the terrible COVID-19 pandemic. We have heard our share of sad and tragic stories, and many have had...

Off the Pulpit: A hopeful note

June 12, 2020

By RABBI DAVID WOLPE

“To gather the congregation you shall blow tekiah (summons) and not truah (alarm)” (Num. 10:7).

There are many ways to unite people. One is to frighten them. When pointed at a common enemy, people tend to...

Person in the Parsha: Beha’alotecha

June 05, 2020

By RABBI TZVI HERSH WEINREB

“EARNING SELF-ESTEEM“ 

It was a lesson I learned long ago, when I was a high school classroom teacher. I was new at this line of work...

Off the Pulpit: A lesson from Rabbi Abbahu

June 05, 2020

By RABBI DAVID WOLPE

How important was respect for our Sages? The Talmud discusses whether one can carry a lit candle on the Sabbath. In Talmudic times of course, without a candle the night was entirely dark. It relates that...

Person in the Parsha: Naso

June 03, 2020

By RABBI TZVI HERSH WEINREB

“DISTINCTLY DIFFERENT“

The term is one that I first heard back in high school. There are times that I find it helpful, and there are times I find myself...

Off the Pulpit: The Sacred City, Jerusalem

May 28, 2020

By RABBI DAVID WOLPE

Over three thousand years ago Jerusalem was chosen. There are indications it was a place of distinction before, but David’s decision to choose a capital city located between the North and South — as Washington, D.C....

Person in the Parsha: Shavuot

May 22, 2020

By RABBI TZVI HERSH WEINREB

“A MESSAGE FOR THE ENTIRE TEAM“

All beginning students of Torah face this obstacle: in their original, the primary texts of our Jewish tradition have no punctuation. There are neither commas nor...

Off the Pulpit: Saved by voices

May 22, 2020

By RABBI DAVID WOLPE

A man complained to his psychiatrist that he talked to himself and was told that it is commonplace, nothing to worry about. But, said the man, you have no idea Doctor, what a nudnick I am.

The...

Person in the Parsha: Bamidbar

May 15, 2020

By RABBI TZVI HERSH WEINREB

“TRANSITIONS AND DESTINATIONS” 

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about transitions and destinations. Perhaps this is because of my childhood memories. Back then, at precisely this time of year, my friends and I...