Rabbi’s Torah Commentary

Tradition has it that Torah provides us with 613 mitzvot (commonly translated as commandments). The representative “10 Commandments” serve only to symbolize the moral commitment necessary to honor our relationships with God and each other. Of course, the 613 are largely symbolic, as well. A document like the Torah that is open for interpretation of […]

We live in two worlds. Physically, we exist in the material world, that is. Spiritually, we seek to live in a world of peace and righteous justice for which we pray. The reality of this dualism stands firm, transcends religion, and speaks to the yearning of every heart’s truth. In our world, we live in […]

Even while away on Sabbatical, I have the need to study and write. Hence, my weekly commentaries. Sometimes, the writing is cathartic and healing. Sometimes, it is geared to provoke my continued thought. My hope and prayer is that what I write helps provide one, the other, or both results for those who read them. […]

“The first cut is the deepest.” Cat Stevens wrote about the hole in his heart after the love of his life ripped it apart. They say “sticks and stones can break my bones but words can never hurt me.” I don’t know who came up with that thought, but they obviously never interacted with other […]

This week, we met Korach, a Levite who is upset that Aaron and Moses have displaced the rest of the Levites and taken on all leadership roles for themselves. The whole tribe is supposed to share in the responsibilities at the altar and in ritual leadership. God seems to have ignored the Biblical instruction to […]

Many weeks, as I read through the Torah portion, something reaches out and grabs my attention. I then sit down to write. This Sabbatical week, I spent time sifting through the whole portion, and many things/ideas jumped out! We read about the spies that Moses sends in to check out the “Promised Land.” We also […]

As we approach this week’s Torah portion, Moses brings elder representatives from the tribes together, in order to share the responsibilities of leadership necessary for serving the people. In the midst of the gathering, the Torah teaches, “And I will emanate of the spirit which is upon you, and will bestow it upon them.” (Num […]

I have a unique talent. I can hit five or six different keys while trying to sing one song. I don’t know of many people who appreciate my gift, though. I have received various derision because of my singing, but as I see it, when I sing, people begin to pray (that I will stop). […]

Karen Armstrong was a Catholic nun as she began her deeply passionate inter-religious studies. She was emotionally and physically abused at the convent and understood that God could not be found in the violence. After 7 years in the order, she left and embarked on a journey that has placed her amongst the greatest religious […]

One of the things I love about my tradition is the realization that the Biblical text’s purpose is not provide “gospel” answers; rather it provokes conversation. The text includes the good, the bad, and the ugly so that we have a lot to talk about and a variety of perspectives from which to learn. The […]