Promises, Pledges, Oaths
Thoughts on Parashat Ki Tetzei
When you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not put off fulfilling it, for the LORD your God will require it of you, and you will …
DEVARIM / SHABBAT CHAZON
Rabbi Dr. Walter Rothschild
Each year I read the book 'Devarim' – which we begin this Shabbat - differently. The reason is simple; Each year I am a little older and Devarim is …
Tribes of Israel: Branches of One Tree or Rods of „Divine Fury”?
Thoughts on Parashat Matot-Massei
Menachem Mirski
The opening words of this week’s Torah portion may not seem like an extraordinary statement at first sight:
“Moses …
On the Balance Between Good and Evil Forces. Thoughts on Parasha Pinchas
Menachem Mirski
At the very beginning of this week’s Torah portion God rewards Pinchas, the grandson of Aaron, for his zealous act – namely …
Pinchas
Rabin dr Walter Rothschild
The sidra 'Pinchas' starts in the middle of an horrific episode and it starts in a way that is not only surprising, but shocking – God APPROVES of the impetuous violent actions …
KORACH
Rabbi Walter Rothschild
As many of you know by now, I have a very different, very personal way of looking at biblical texts than do the traditional writers of Midrash. It is also important for me …
Force of habit, passivity, fear and their consequences
Artur
Force of habit, passivity, fear and their consequences
Thoughts on Parasha Shelach
Menachem Mirski
In this week’s Torah portion Moses sends twelve spies to the land of Canaan. They come back forty days later, bringing an enormous …
The King and his Son
Thoughts on Parashat Naso
Menachem Mirski
Two weeks ago I devoted my drasha to Jewish unity and diversity. This week I will take up the topic of the role of our …
On Jewish Unity and Diversity. Thoughts on Parasha Bamidbar
Artur
On Jewish Unity and Diversity
Thoughts on Parasha Bamidbar
Menachem Mirski
This week’s Torah portion contains a number of laws and regulations regarding the responsibilities of the representatives of each tribe of Israel in the Tent …
Whom Can We Trust?
Mati Kirschenbaum
This week’s Parasha Bechukotai concludes the so called “Holiness Code” – i.e. chapters 17-26 from the Book of Leviticus which describe the ritual and moral prohibitions aimed at making the …
Has the Time Come For a Jubilee Year?
Mati Kirschenbaum
In this week’s Torah portion, Behar, we find the description of the laws of a jubilee year, a year in which property returns to its previous owners. …
EMOR
Rabbi Dr. Walter Rothschild
Our Sidra this week covers several themes but in Chapter 23 of Leviticus we have a listing of the festivals that are to be observed – and how they are to be …
