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Freedom Through Compassion

Bo Exodus 10:1 – 13:16 Parashat Bo opens with the last four plagues to befall Egypt as part of the Divine liberation plan. Plague after plague, Pharaoh first reluctantly acquiesces to Moses’ latest plea to let his people go and then changes his mind when God...

Many Faces of God

VaEira Exodus 6:2 – 9:35 Parashat VaEira opens with a compelling affirmation: “God (Elohim) spoke to Moses and said to him: ‘I Am the Eternal (YHVH)’” (Ex. 6:2). I often wonder exactly how people understand this powerful statement. That opening phrase, “God...

The Four (Jewish) Noble Truths

Vayigash Genesis 44:18 – 47:27 In the middle of this parashah comes the critical moment when Jacob/Israel and his clan descend into Egypt, setting the stage for what will unfold next: enslavement, suffering, redemption, and revelation. Following their encounter...

When Joseph’s “I” Was No More

Mikeitz Genesis 41:1-44:17 One of my favorite verses in the whole of Torah is in this week’s parashah. Joseph has just been brought up from jail to interpret Pharaoh’s dream, which the court diviners could not explain. “Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘… I have heard this...

Seeing Through the Veil of the Mind

Chayei Sarah Genesis 23:1-25:18 The unfolding of the biblical narrative brings us to the close of one chapter—that of Abraham and Sarah’s journey—and the opening of a new one—that of their son Isaac and soon-to-be wife: Rebekah. After Sarah dies, Abraham sends his...

Beyond Our Ego’s Idea of Justice

Vayeira Genesis 18:1-22:24 In his life storyline, Abraham did not always rise to the occasion of his ethical challenges. Yet this aspect of his story is worthy of praise: his standing up to God in the episode of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham remained standing before the...