Parsha

Beyond the headlines: Finding an anchor in the shelter - opinion

A weekly glimpse into the Israel you won’t read about in the news.

LEARNING IN the bomb shelter.
'Spirituality can grow without diminishing anyone,' says the writer.

Parashat Tazria-Metzora: Turning lemons into lemonade

SUSAN B. ANTHONY was an American social reformer and women’s rights activist between 1900 and 1906.

Your Investments: The smart way to handle an inheritance portfolio

A pile of books.

Parashat Vayakhel-Pekudei: Wisdom of the wise


Parashat Toldot: The struggle between Rome and Jerusalem

This tension between the heroes of Rome and the sages of Jerusalem will not last forever. The prophet Obadiah prophesied the resolution of this struggle.

 ‘Rebecca at the Well.’ Photograph of 19th-century  French painting by Jean Baptiste Camille Corot.

Jewels of wisdom: Rivkah’s gift of sensitivity


Parashat Vayeira: Order of priorities

No spiritual experience, no matter how lofty, takes precedence over simple acts of kindness, such as welcoming guests, visiting the sick.

 Francesco Guardi - The Angels Appearing to Abraham.

At Madison Square Garden, an Ishay Ribo concert becomes a moment of Jewish awakening

Ishay Ribo’s concert at Madison Square Garden brought together thousands of Jews in a powerful expression of unity and spirituality amid recent grief and loss.

 Israeli musician Ishay Ribo performs at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, Sept. 15, 2024.

The IDF reflects Israeli society: Ethical through and through - opinion

Ancient Torah laws of war resonate in modern Israel, linking ethical society to military strength.

 IDF TROOPS in Cyprus this week simulate a military campaign deep inside Lebanese territory against Hezbollah.

Conquering the mind: Turning fear into faith


A nation in turmoil: We must set aside self-interest and come together - opinion

The average reader is confronted with a vivid picture of a chaotic, divided, and divisive nation that is united only in its opposition to the leader.

 Visitors watch sunrise from Mount Sinai in Egypt, where Moses is believed to have received the 10 Commandments.

Parashat Bechukotai: Why work hard?

There is no more appropriate preparation for Shavuot than profound Torah study.

 Torah study must  involve toil.

Parashat Behar: Who is the servant and who is the master?

The produce grown in shmita year is considered holy, and all agricultural activity – including plowing, planting, pruning, and harvesting – is forbidden. It is designated for consumption only. 

 Servitude to God is not degradation; it is the path to freedom.

Parsha Emor: Being worthy of one’s role

The more an individual invests in being worthy of his/her role, the better he/she performs his/her role.

 BIRKAT KOHANIM at the Kotel on Succot, Oct. 2, 2023.