Parshat HaShavua
Parshat HaShavua
We are pleased to feature a different Religious Zionist rabbi each week from around the country to share a Dvar Torah.
Parshat Tetzaveh (Zachor): “Ta’anit Esther” by Rabbi Leonard Matanky
Rabbi Leonard Matanky is the rabbi of Congregation KINS of Chicago, IL and Co-President of the RZA. In a typical year, Taanit Esther is observed on the 13th of Adar - the day before Purim. But not this year. Because this year Purim falls on Sunday and therefore...
Parshat Mishpatim: “A Tale of Two Mountains” by Rabbi Howard Zack
Rabbi Zack is the rabbi of Congregation Torat Emet in Columbus, OH. Rashi famously points out at the very opening of Parashat Mishpatim that it is directly connected to the previous parasha of Yitro. According to this well-known Rashi, the opening phrase ואלה...
Parshat Yitro by Rabbi Adam Starr
Rabbi Starr is the rabbi of Young Israel of Toco Hills in Atlanta, GA. Moshe, the fearless leader of the Jewish people, left the comforts of royalty to lead his enslaved brethren, and led the people out of Egypt culminating with the splitting of the sea. But Moshe is...
“Parshat Beshalach” by Rabbi Chaim Marcus
Rabbi Marcus is the rabbi of Congregation Israel in Springfield, NJ. Earlier this week, on the 10th of Shevat, was the yahrzeit of Rav Yissachar Shlomo Teichtal hy"d, the author of a sefer written during the dark days of the Shoah, Eim HaBanim Semeichah, a work that...
Parshat Bo: “Jewish Time Reflected in Jewish History” by Rabbi Elie Weinstock
Rabbi Weinstock is the rabbi of Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun in New York, NY. “Ha-chodesh ha-zeh lachem rosh chadashim – This month shall be the head of the months for you.” (Shemot/Exodus 12:1) The very first commandment given to the entire Jewish people is the...
“Parshat Va’era” by Rabbi Yechiel Morris
Rabbi Morris is the rabbi of Young Israel of Southfield in Southfield, MI. After his initial failure in Parshat Shemot to achieve freedom for the Jewish people, Moshe once again was instructed by Hashem to confront Pharaoh with his demands for emancipation. This new...
Parshat Shemot: “Moshe’s Missing Years” by Rabbi Yonah Gross
Rabbi Yonah Gross is the rabbi of Congregation Beth Hamedorsh in Wynnewood, PA. How much are we really told about Moshe’s life? We know that he was born, cast into the river, and eventually rescued by the Princess of Egypt. When he got a little older, he saved a Jew...
Parshat Vayechi: “The Eternal Message of Chushim ben Dan” – Rabbi Shalom Axelrod
Rabbi Axelrod is the rabbi of Young Israel of Woodmere in Woodmere, NY. In Parshas Vayechi, we read how Yakov son’s intern him in Ma'aras Hamachpeila. The Torah does not provide many details of this final act of chesed shel emes. The Talmud (Sota 13a) offers a fuller...
Parshat Vayigash: “The Road Less Traveled” – Rabbi E. Samuel Klibanoff
Rabbi Klibanoff is the Rabbi of Congregation Etz Chaim, Livingston, NJ. I must admit that Vayigash is my favorite Parsha. The fact that this was my Bar Mitzvah Parsha (only a handful of years ago,) may have something to do with it. However, with each passing year of...
Parshat Miketz: “The Power of Taking Sides” – Rabbi Steven Miodownik
Rabbi Miodownik is the Rabbi of Congregation Ahavas Achaim, Highland Park, NJ. In light of the United States' abstention from the U.N. resolution condemning Israel's "settlement" activity, and failure to exercise a Security Council veto, the events surrounding the...