Parashah and Politics

Explore how Genesis and the Adams family illuminate equality, morality, and the sacredness of life, shaping America's founding principles.

Explore the biblical tale of Noah, the symbolism of the rainbow, and the enduring battle between light and darkness in today's world.

Explore Abraham's journey, Jewish resilience, and the power of memory and laughter in shaping a people that endures through history's challenges.

Explore Abraham's vision, blending maturity and childlike wonder, and its impact on faith and politics in Israel today.

Explore Jewish identity through Abraham's dual role as stranger and citizen, and its relevance in American history and today's societal challenges.

Explore Chagall's art and the complex dynamics of Isaac, Rebecca, and Jacob, revealing the intertwining of spiritual and material blessings in Judaism.

Explore the symbolism of stones in Jacob's journey, reflecting on dreams, resilience, and the enduring legacy of Israel's cherished children.

Explore Jacob Curiel's journey from secret Jew to leader, reflecting on Jewish identity, struggle, and the enduring power of faith in a complex world.

Explore Joseph's dreams, leadership, and destiny, paralleled with Churchill and Reagan, revealing insights into political and familial dynamics.

Explore Joseph's tears and Judah's journey, revealing identity struggles and leadership lessons through Rabbi Lichtenstein's insights on Torah and literature.

Explore how Joseph's story in Egypt reveals timeless lessons on identity, assimilation, and the balance between freedom and state power.

Explore the spiritual and political bonds between generations through Jacob's blessings, Rembrandt's art, and the enduring legacy of Jewish unity.

Explore the intertwined lives of Moses, Freud, and Herzl, revealing insights on Jewish identity, assimilation, and the enduring power of shared heritage.

Explore Pharaoh's hardened heart in Exodus, its ties to Egyptian mythology, and the moral lessons it imparts on leadership and conscience.

Explore how Ramesses II's grand monuments contrast with the enduring legacy of the Exodus, highlighting the power of faith over fleeting empires.

Explore the courage of Nahshon and the journey from slavery to freedom, highlighting the balance of divine providence and human action in Israel's history.

Explore Jethro's admiration for Israel, contrasting with Amalek's hostility, and how these narratives illuminate the Jewish mission and its global impact.

Explore the interplay of law and love through Mishpatim and The Beatles, revealing how duty and emotion shape Jewish life and relationships.

Explore how art and architecture reveal Jewish endurance, contrasting the Temple's sacred design with historical depictions of its destruction.

Discover how ancient incense and blue dye from snails reveal profound insights into Jewish spirituality and the sanctification of earthly existence.

Explore wabi sabi and the second tablets, embracing imperfection as a path to forgiveness, resilience, and the beauty of human and divine creation.

Explore how Jewish art, from Bezalel to Rembrandt, reveals divine beauty and faith, teaching us to see beyond sight in the shadow of God.

Explore the mystery of God's presence in the Tabernacle and Jerusalem, reflecting the unique bond with the Jewish people and the "scandal of particularity."

Explore the contrast between Abraham's altar of grace and Prometheus' rebellion, reflecting on sacrifice, divine goodness, and human reliance on God.

Explore how leaders are shaped by others and divine providence, with insights from Torah and history, highlighting gratitude and leadership lessons.

Explore Scalia's critique of "to thine own self be true" and its parallels with Nadab and Abihu's tragic tale of misguided individualism in Leviticus.

Explore the Jewish love of life through stories of sacrifice, faith, and the enduring power of tradition in the face of adversity.

Explore the true meaning of "Pesach" as divine protection, linking ancient rituals to modern Jerusalem's resilience and faith in times of peril.

Explore the Hebrew influence on university seals, Yom Kippur rituals, and the intertwining of faith and knowledge in academia with Rabbi Soloveichik.

Explore how Jewish memory and empathy shape moral leadership, highlighting Israel's global impact and the call to be distinct yet compassionate.