JTS Weekly Commentary

Parashat Emor 5768

Tue, 6 May 2008 16:20:34 -0400

Rabbi David Ackerman comments on the modern introduction of Yom Ha'atzma'ut as consistent with the divine/human partnership introduced in Parashat Emor.

Parashat K'doshim 5768

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 01:21:18 -0400

Rabbi Marc Wolf in his commentary on Parashat K'doshim reads the command to be holy at the outset of the parashah as instruction for mindful behavior to influence every action of our daily lives.

Passover 5768

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 22:37:50 -0400

Rabbi Daniel Nevins comments on the transition from the first days of Passover where we engage in skeptical conversation to the last days when the mood changes to celebration.

Parashat Aharei Mot 5768

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:01:50 -0400

Chancellor Arnold Eisen discusses the message of the Passover seder and its instruction to engage the next generation, to engage their questions, and inspire their participation.

Parashat M'tzora 5768

Tue, 8 Apr 2008 23:55:21 -0400

Rabbi David Ackerman comments on the focus of Parashat M'tzora on sexual relations and contextualizes it in the language of kedusha.

Parashat Tazria 5768

Wed, 2 Apr 2008 20:13:39 -0400

Rabbi Marc Wolf reads the struggle between ritual purity and impurity discussed in the parshiyot of Tazria and Metzora as a challenge to us and how we relates to God on a continuum of holiness.

Parashat Sh'mini 5768

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 17:32:41 -0400

Rabbi Marc Wolf comments on the response of Aaron to the death of his sons, Nadav and Avihu in this week's parashah as it relates the the recent tragedy at Mercaz Ha-Rav Yeshiva in Jerusalem.

Parashat Tzav 5768

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 11:20:00 -0400

Chancellor Arnold Eisen makes four comparisons between the sacrificial system of Leviticus and the worship within our synagogues: 1. we approach God as a unique and integral community; 2. we construct our spaces personally; 3. the ritual is intensely personal; and 4. they occupied the center of the camp, to teach that worship is but one part of our communal existence.

Parashat Va-yikra 5768

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 21:10:01 -0400

Rabbi Edward Feld reads the sacrificial system established in Parashat Va-yikra as a precursor to our system of ritual in its desire to create a relationship with God.

Parashat P'kudei 5768

Thu, 6 Mar 2008 11:09:37 -0500

Rabbi Marc Wolf views the pillar of cloud and fire as it appears in Parashat P’kudei and the rest of the Tanakh as a paradigm for developing a relationship with God.

Parashat Va-yakhel 5768

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 13:01:44 -0500

Rabbi David Ackerman discusses the juxtaposition of Bezalel and the people and reads the lesson that steadiness without passion is no more desirable than enthusiasm without boundaries. With both extremes before us in Parashat Va-yakhel, the Torah offers us the ever-present challenge of finding balance.

Parashat Ki Tissa 5768

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 18:58:02 -0500

Rabbi Charles Savenor discusses how Moses models for generations of leaders to come that listening is the cornerstone of every relationship, especially in times of transition.

The JTS Parashah Commentary is read by Joan Goodman, Northeast Regional Director, JTS.

Parashat T'tzavveh 5768

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 19:09:09 -0500

Rabbi Daniel Nevins explores the vestments the priests wore in the time of the tabernacle and discusses how these precious symbols of authority can paradoxically preserve humility if they symbolize the leader’s mission.

Parashat T'rumah 5768

Thu, 7 Feb 2008 21:04:06 -0500

Rabbi Marc Wolf addresses the sometimes unclear will of God in the command to build the mishkan, the portable sanctuary that accompanied the children of Israel through their wanderings in the wilderness.

Parashat Mishpatim 5768

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 16:43:36 -0500

Rabbi David Hoffman challenges us to think about the active process of reading Torah, that is to say, being conscious of the fact that texts do not speak, but we read them. Invariably, in our own reading we bring to the text our own values and experiences.