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...
“Parsha Vayeishev” – Rabbi Daniel Rockoff
Rabbi Rockoff is the Rabbi of Congregation BIAV, Overland Park, KS. “Yaakov settled in the land of his forefathers sojourning, the land of Canaan.” (37:1) In contrast to his brother Esav who settled in Har Seir, Yaakov takes his rightful place as the heir...
“Parsha Vayishlach” – Rabbi Zvi Romm
Rabbi Romm is the Rabbi of Bialystoker Synagogue, New York, NY. The commentators offer various reasons for the mitzvah of Gid HaNasheh — the prohibition of eating the sciatic nerve — which is mentioned is this week’s Parsha. Why should the injury of...
Parshat Vayetzei: “The Sacred Sulam Bridging Heaven and Earth” – Rabbi Jonathan Morgenstern
Rabbi Of Young Israel of Scarsdale, Scarsdale, NY. Early on in my own religious development, I gave a lot of thought to the idea of the ideal religious life. As we see in the vision of Jacob’s Ladder at the beginning of Parashat VaYeitzi, is it a life devoted...