On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah - Va-et’chanan: What is the Essence of Judaism?
Ten is an important number in Jewish tradition, and in this parashah we read the second telling of the Ten Commandments. Though many consider the essence of Judaism to be the Ten Commandments, they aren’t necessarily the most important of the 613 commandments.
On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah - Eikev: Entiltement vs Gratitude
It’s natural for people who have much more than what they need to spend time thinking about the things that they do not have, rather than being thankful. In many of our lives, there is an extremely prominent divide between those who have more than they need, and those who struggle.
On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah - R’eih: Fighting Poverty
In life, we are often tasked with a blessing and a curse. In Parashat R’eih, we are reminded to always look at the blessings and the curses in front of us.
On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah - Lech L'cha: How to Be a Hero
Parashat Lech L’cha tells us the story of the very beginning of Jewish history, when God says to Abraham and Sarah that they are to “go forth” and begin the story of Jewish commitment.
On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah - Vayeira: Where is God?
Parashat Vayeira starts with a cliffhanger. We’re told that God appeared before Abraham, but that’s it—we never find out where God appears or what God says. Instead, we get three desert wanderers, who have important news for Abraham. So, where is God in this story?
On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah - Chayei Sarah: Seeing Blessings Every Day
Translated, Chayei Sarah means “the life of Sarah.” It’s an odd title for a parashah that opens with Sarah’s death, but even though this parashah doesn’t detail Sarah’s life, it does teach us about the kind of life she lived.
On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah - Tol'dot
Many of us know the story of Jacob and Esau, the brothers who could not be more different from one another.
On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah - Vayeishev: Making an Impact
Many of us know the story of Jacob and Esau, the brothers who could not be more different from one another.
On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah - Vayigash: Putting Judah in Judaism
Do you ever wonder why Judaism is called Judaism? This week’s parashah, Vayigash, has an answer. This is the moment when Joseph and his brothers, including Judah, dramatically reconnect, and Judah demonstrates a deep caring for his people.
On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah - Mikeitz: Fighting Darkness with Light
Even though the miracle of the oil wasn’t an original part of the Hanukkah story, it has become one of the most enduring narratives in modern Judaism.