Off the Pulpit: The Quiet Patriarch

November 09, 2018

By RABBI DAVID WOLPE

We know less about Isaac than any of the other patriarchs. In the major events of his life he is acted upon – being bound for the Akedah and having Jacob steal the birthright by fooling Isaac...

Person in the Parsha: Toldot

November 02, 2018

By RABBI TZVI HERSH WEINREB

“ASK A BUSY PERSON”

I’m fairly certain that you have heard this saying before: “If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it.” It is a popular saying...

Off the Pulpit: A lesson on this week’s loss

November 02, 2018

By RABBI DAVID WOLPE

This was a week of losses. The horrible shooting in Pittsburgh preoccupies all of us, and the question of how to respond. Yet another loss we suffered this week points the way.

In our community, we...

Off the Pulpit: Eat Quietly???

October 26, 2018

Recently in Japan I had lunch at a Zen Temple (the all-vegetarian cuisine was outstanding). My friends and I were seated next to one another. One of the adepts explained that we were not across from each other to discourage...

Person in the Parsha: Chayei Sarah

October 26, 2018

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 all face loss, and...

Person in the Parsha: Vayera

October 19, 2018

By RABBI TZVI HERSH WEINREB

Every practical person who is about to open a retail store, and everyone in the market for a new home, knows how important it is to find the proper location for the new...

Off the Pulpit: The Art of Rivalry

October 19, 2018

By RABBI DAVID WOLPE

In his book “The Art of Rivalry,” Sebastian Smee writes about the often bitter rivalries that existed between the great artists of the twentieth century. Matisse and Picasso, Manet and Degas, Pollock and De Kooning, and Freud...

Person in the Parsha: Lech Lecha

October 14, 2018

By RABBI TZVI HERSH WEINREB

“A CHECKLIST FOR HEROES”

Having a hero is part of natural human development. In childhood, these heroes are often movie stars and athletes. For evidence, just look at the...

Off the Pulpit: Restoration

October 12, 2018

By RABBI DAVID WOLPE

Yes, Succot is over, but Rabbi David Bashevkin drew my attention to a beautiful comment that you can remember until next year!

During the grace after meals on Succot we recoite the blessing asking God to...

Person in the Parsha: Noach

October 05, 2018

By RABBI TZVI HERSH WEINREB

“SURVIVORS OF TRAUMA”

There are many words in the English language that originally had great power but have become watered down over the years to the point of meaninglessness....