Torah Commentary
What's in a Name?
This week’s parasha, Shemot (“names”), is the beginning of the story of Israel’s redemption from Egypt. People who are named in the beginning of Exodus have something to teach us—those who are not named, like Pharaoh, have no enduring legacy.
How Trust Can Be Restored
The news stream today is filled with stories of abuse and betrayal, and we might wonder whether deeds like this can ever be forgiven. And even if they are, can the perpetrators ever be trusted again? The tale of Joseph and his brothers answers such questions.
Forgiveness Forms the Future
The long narrative of Joseph and his brothers is truly a story of “everything turns out okay in the end,” but more importantly it is a story of change, teshuvah (repentance), and forgiveness.
What Happened to the Maccabees?
Along with his sons, Mattathias and the faithful followers fled to the hills to continue the revolt and many gathered around them. Importantly, Mattathias ruled that the Maccabean army could take up arms on the Sabbath to repulse the king’s army.
A Very Brazilian Hanukkah
Have you ever wondered what it's like to celebrate Hanukkah in the southern hemisphere? According to Congregational leader Matheus Zandona Guimares (of Har Tzion Messianic Synagogue in Belo Horizonte, Brazil), it's a hot, humid, and rainy affair.
Why Celebrate Hanukkah?
Facing a seemingly hopeless situation, the Maccabees did not succumb to defeatism or "overwhelm," nor did they compromise on their key principles. They followed the path that their ethical convictions dictated, regardless of the enormity of the task.
Miracles: Obvious and Hidden
Hanukkah is an example of miracles, both obvious and hidden. In the story of Hanukkah, God works behind the scenes through Mattathias and his sons, but then we have the open and obvious miracle of the oil.
How to Light a Menorah
Every year we seem to have the same argument about the right way to load and light the candles in the menorah. "It's right to left!" "No, I swear I remember that it's left to right!" We usually count on Google to solve our debate. In the spirit of getting it right, here are four steps to lighting your menorah, beginning tomorrow night.
Our Haywire Family of Origin
What went haywire in the family of our ancestors that caused so much tension and so many devastating situations? The possibilities are many. The Torah is brutally honest in its recollection of events, and our emotions will be stoked as we read the portions over the next few weeks. I know that my emotions come alive as I read these chapters.
Learning from Our Father Jacob
This week’s parasha illumines much for us as to who exactly Jacob/Israel was. It is important for us to know this because if we say we are the people of Israel, who exactly are we? A son emulates his father. Let us see whom we are emulating.