Deep in the cave of the three brothers (trois-freres) in southwestern France, in a portion of the cave so small you have to contort yourself to fit in, is the earliest known human depiction of God. Part deer, owl, bear,…
Torah Thoughts Eikev 5778 (Deuteronomy 7:12 – 11:25)
“Ode to GF” Picture a challah baking in the oven; the smell emanating throughout the house. Shabbat is approaching and soon the doughy bread will sit in the center of the table, on a silver platter, covered by a decorated…
Torah Thoughts Vaetchanan (Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11) “One More Bridge to Cross”
The new Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center contains within it a small piece of the original bridge between the US and Canada. Built in 1855 it was the first railroad suspension bridge in the world, spanning 825 feet,…
Torah Thoughts Devarim (Deuteronomy 1:1 – 3:22) “Rethinking Jewish History: The Joy of Tisha Ba’av”
This coming Saturday night and Sunday the Jewish community will be observing the 9thday of the Hebrew month of Av, also known as Tisha B’Av, the saddest day of the Jewish year. Rabbi, you ask, how can a day marking…
Torah Thoughts Matot Masei (Numbers 30:2 – 36:13) – Are we coming or are we going?
Ever feel like you are unsure whether you are coming and going or going and coming? This is the experience of the Israelite people in this week’s double portion, Matot-Masei, which concludes the book of Numbers. In fact, in one…
Torah Thoughts Pinchas (Numbers 25:10-30:1) “A Just Because Sacrifice”
In the Torah, a peace offering (zevach shlemim) is the only one that is optional. It is a “just because sacrifice.” You would bring it after you had just completed a vow, overcome a great challenge, or had a…
Torah Thoughts Bakak (Numbers 22:2-25:9) – “Why Watching Soccer is Hard for us”
To watch the 2018 World Cup as a Jewish American is a strange phenomenon. We have no skin in the game, neither Israel, who have never made it, nor the United States, who are in the outside looking in…
Torah Thoughts Chukat (Numbers 19:1 – 22:1)
“Creating a World without Blemish” At the beginning of this week’s Torah portion, Chukat, we learn about a red heifer, that not only had to be completely red, but also without blemish, “she ein bah mum” (Numbers 19:2). This was…
Torah Thoughts Korah (Numbers 16:1 – 18:32)
The Ayin at the Heart of Anger To understand the Hebrew word for anger – Ka’as– you need to examine its middle letter – Ayin. Ayinis one of the most mysterious letters in any language. In religious school we…
Torah Thoughts Shelach 5778
To get an international flavor in Western New York, just take a trip up the I-190 to Niagara Falls. There you will hear languages spoken from all over the world, including Hebrew. It is amazing to see how far people travel…