Stories We Tell: The Bird Catcher
Stories We Tell: Get Up and Go Early
Accepting Advice From Your Father-in-Law
This week’s Torah portion, Parashat Yitro, is remarkable. Only six Torah portions (out of a total of 54) are named for one of the individuals advancing the drama within its text. ... And this portion is named for Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro (Yitro) — a non-Israelite, Midianite priest. In the portion, Yitro offers sage advice and Moses accepts it.
Stories We Tell: What it Takes to Get in
The Wilderness: Israel's Test and Ours
Since I am the rabbi of a synagogue called Beth Knesset Bamidbar, Parashat B'midbar has a special place in my heart.
The Sacred Compass for Our Journey
B'midbar, "Into the wilderness." Each experience along the way, each encounter on our path, helps to mold us as individuals. Likewise, the travels of our ancestors through the desert wilderness helped to fashion their character.
Longing to Reenter the Wilderness
I had never had a mystical experience until I entered the wilderness of Sinai about twenty years ago. At the time, I didn't know I has having a mystical experience. It is only hindsight that allows me to recognize what it was.
A Bag of Bones, Beauty, and Blessing
On the day that the Mishkan was fully erected, the princely chieftains were instructed to bring identical tribal offerings to the Mishkan (Numbers 7:10).