There is something difficult about coming to the end of Genesis.  Not only do we have to say goodbye to the wonderful characters of the inaugural book of the Torah, but the path ahead is long and difficult.  While the…

To Judah and his brothers, the man standing in front of them who held their lives in balance, was a complete stranger.  And not just a stranger, but an outsider.  They were there to beg for mercy, a reprieve from…

On Hanukkah we shine a light into darkness to try to make a difference.  The Menorahs we place in our windows are not merely decorative, but projections of our values out into the world. For the past two years I…

In the final episode of Seinfeld, the central characters of the sitcom are accused of being bystanders.  Jerry, George, Elaine, and Kramer watch as a heavy-set man is carjacked, poking fun at him instead of rushing to his aide.  In…

There are forty-four candles in a box of Hanukkah candles, enough for every night of the holiday.  Every is candle vital to performing the mitzvah of our festival of lights.  As instructed by Rabbi Hillel, we start with just one,…

At the shiva service for Dr. Morris Unher of blessed memory, the line of people to greet the family extended all the way to the door.  All of them had one thing in common: he had assisted in their birthing…