Judaism

Local

Death as a Constant Part of Life

Torah

Is Golan Heights Part of Holy Land?

Arts

Hidden City Festival Reveals Revitalization of 'Little Shul'

Torah

'Drawing Near': How a People Becomes Holy

VAYIKRA, Leviticus 1:1-5:26

By:

Rabbi Sue Levi Elwell

This week, we begin Leviticus, the third and central book of the five Books of Moses. The central question of this book, posed in this opening portion, might be paraphrased as "How will the Israelites become a holy people worthy of their unique connection with the Holy One?" This question challenges all who have made our way through Genesis and...

Torah

Accounting for Life, and All of Its Treasures

PEKUDEI, Exodus 38:21-40:38

By:

Rabbi Joshua Runyan

With just six weeks until April 15, tax season is upon us. And as we all gather our receipts and statements in the push to make it to the filing deadline, it's perhaps comforting to know that no less than Moses was audited. According to a fascinating Midrash on the subject, he even requested it. This week's Torah portion begins...

Torah

Care for What You Have, Instead of Seeking More

VAYAKHEL, Exodus 35:1-38:20

By:

Rabbi Danielle Stillman

For her school picture this year, my daughter chose to wear a sweater my mother made for me when I was 3. That sweater, lovingly knitted, was then handed down to my sister, and cleaned and stored away till it could be given to my daughter. The sweater is in perfect condition. Care for things is rare these days. The...

Torah

A Blast From the Past: Relevance to Egypt

KI TISSA, Exodus 30:11-34:35

By:

Rabbi Howard A. Addison

Ki Tissa signals the lowest historic point of Israel's faithlessness. Feeling abandoned by Moses, the people besiege Aaron to fashion a Golden Calf, proclaiming "this is the god who brought you out of Egypt." Imagine the extent of Moses' horror as he descends from his 40-day sojourn atop Sinai to scenes of illicit, idolatrous revelry. Critical commentators have offered several...

Purim

Another Purim, Another Chance to Celebrate God's Presence

THE HOLIDAYS

By:

Rabbi Yonah Gross, Jewish Exponent Feature

On March 6, my wife and I will celebrate our second wedding anniversary. In that time, we have had three children, lived in four houses in three states, and moved cross-country twice. While this may seem like a lot, we did have six years worth of days to do it all. So why are we celebrating only our second wedding...