JTS Weekly Commentary

Parashat Pinhas 5769

Tue, 7 Jul 2009 16:52:46 -0400

Rabbi Daniel Nevins, Pearl Resnick Dean, The Rabbinical School, JTS offers a fascinating analysis of whether the Torah is the only window into the realm of divine values and morality in his commentary on Parashat Pinhas.

Parashat Hukkat/Balak 5769

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:19:41 -0400

Dr. Deborah Miller, associate director of the Melton Research Center for Jewish Education, and adjunct assistant professor of Jewish Education at JTS, discusses the context behind God's decision to disallow Moses' entry into Canaan in her commentary on Parashat Hukkat/Balak.

Parashat Korah 5769

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:21:05 -0400

Dr. Jonathan Milgram, assistant professor, Talmud and Rabbinics, JTS, discusses the themes of encroachment on the Tabernacle and its related punishments in his commentary on Parashat Korah.

Parashat Sh'lah L'kha 5769

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:37:42 -0400

Rabbi David Ackerman, Rabbi for National Outreach, JTS discusses purposeful journeys in his commentary for Parashat Sh'lah L'kha.

Parashat B'ha-alot'kha 5769

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:37:30 -0400

Chancellor Arnold Eisen discusses powerful images of authority in this compelling commentary on Parashat B'ha-alot'kha.

Parashat Naso 5769

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 10:48:22 -0400

Rabbi Marc Wolf, vice chancellor and chief development officer, JTS, discusses the economy and building in this week's Torah commentary.

Parashat Shavu'ot 5769

Wed, 27 May 2009 16:55:59 -0400

Dr. Barry Holtz, dean of the William Davidson Graduate School of Jewish Education and the Theodore and Florence Baumritter Professor of Jewish Education, discusses significance of Shavu'ot in this Torah Commentary read by Joan Goodman.

Parashat B'midbar 5769

Tue, 19 May 2009 17:37:02 -0400

Rabbi Leonard Sharzer, Senior Fellow in Bioethics, JTS, discusses the meaning of numbers in Parashat B'midbar in this compelling Torah commentary.

Parashat B'har-B'hukkotai 5769

Wed, 13 May 2009 17:41:52 -0400

Dr. Walter Herzberg, assistant professor of Bible and Professional and Pastoral Skills, discusses Parashat B'har-B'hukkotai in this week's Torah commentary.

Parashat Emor 5769

Wed, 6 May 2009 15:35:41 -0400

Rabbi Berkowitz discusses the lessons of Parashat Emor and how religious leaders, by turning a blind eye and silencing their voices, tacitly give their approval to violence thereby tarnishing their reputations as leaders and diminishing God's presence in this world.

Parashat Aharei Mot-K'doshim 5769

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:28:51 -0400

Dr. Judith Hauptman, E. Billi Ivry Professor of Talmud and Rabbinic Culture at JTS, discusses honoring one's mother and father, as outlined in the Torah, in this compelling analysis of Parashat Aharei Mot-K'doshim.

Parashat Tazria M'tzora 5769

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:20:57 -0400

Dr. Alan Cooper, Elaine Ravich Professor of Jewish Studies and provost, JTS, discusses purity laws and how they relate to understanding biblical theology and anthropology in his commentary on Parashat Tazria M’tzora.

Parashat Sh'mini 5769

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 13:06:35 -0400

Joan Goodman of JTS reads Chancellor Arnold Eisen's commentary discussing the issues of symmetry and meaning as it relates to death in Parashat Sh’mini.

Parashat Tsav 5769

Mon, 6 Apr 2009 15:05:26 -0400

Chancellor Arnold Eisen of The Jewish Theological Seminary discusses Parashat Tsav, specifically the relation between the Passover holiday and children and what it means to be Jewish today.

Parashat Va-yakhel—P'kudei 5769

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:27:14 -0400

Dr. Eitan Fishbane, assistant professor, Department of Jewish Thought, discusses Parashat Va-yakhel—P'kudei 5769.