Right now we are in between two Jewish holidays, Purim and Pesach, both of which emphasize the obligation to care for the needy and–as far as Pesach goes–to welcome the … Continued
Parashat Ki Tisa (Exodus 30:11-34:35)
“Six days shall you work, but on the seventh day you shall cease from labor; you shall cease from labor even at plowing time and harvest time.” (Exodus 334:21) Parashat … Continued
Parashat T’tzaveh (Exodus 27:30-30:10)
“I will abide among the Israelites, and I will be their God.” (Exodus 29:46) Parashat T’tzaveh concludes the instructions for building the mishkan (Tabernacle) and describes in detail the priests’ … Continued
Parashat T’rumah (Exodus 25:1-27:19)
“And these are the gifts that you shall accept from them: gold, silver, and copper.” (Exodus 25:3) Parashat T’rumah, the seventh parasha (portion) in the book of Exodus, introduces the detailed … Continued
Parashat Mishpatim (Exodus 21:1 – 24:18)
“You shall not subvert the rights of your needy in their disputes.” (Exodus 23:6) Parashat Mishpatim begins a section of the Torah called sefer habrit, the Book of the Covenant. … Continued
Is Israel Facing Its Own Fundamentalist Threat?
I recently returned from a two week work visit to Florida, where I had the pleasure of visiting a few JCCs and participating in JCC Association’s Executive Seminar. As an … Continued
Parashat Yitro (Exodus 18:1-20:23)
“The blare of the shofar grew louder and louder. As Moses spoke, God answered him in thunder. “ (Exodus 19:19) Parashat Yitro (named for Moses’ father-in-law, Yitro, a Midianite priest) … Continued
Parashat B’shalach (Exodus 13:17-17:16)
“Your right hand, Adonai, glorious in power; your right hand, Adonai, dashes the enemy to pieces.” (Exodus 15:6) Parashat B’shalach describes a moment of exultation. Finally freed from slavery, yet pursued … Continued
Parashat Bo (Exodus 10:1-13:16)
“…Let the men go to worship their God. Are you not yet aware that Egypt is lost?” (Exodus 10:7) This week’s Torah perspective comes from Carol Folkerth, Executive Director of the JCC … Continued
Parashat Va’era (Exodus 6:2-9:35)
“I have now heard the moaning of the Israelites, because the Egyptians are holding them in bondage, and I have remembered my covenant.” (Exodus 6:5) Many people wonder if the … Continued