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The Torah commands us not to stand on the blood of our fellow. This is understood to mean that we if we have the ability to help another who is in trouble we are commanded to do so. During the riots over the death of Freddie Grey we witnessed people violating and fulfilling this commandment. What can we learn from this tragedy and how can it help us to fulfill the commandment to “Love your fellow as you love yourself?”
What is the point of a sanctuary? Are we attempting to house and maintain God’s glory and holiness?
As the 2016 race for the White House heats up some of the presidential hopefuls are being criticized for a lack of transparency. They can learn an important message by studying the leadership of Moses.
The recent Pew study confirmed what we already know; American Jews are losing their Jewish identity at an alarming rate. How do we maintain our Jewish identity in America?
Was Jordan right to hang two terrorists in retaliation for the murder of one of their captured soldiers? The sixth commandment is often translated as, “Thou shalt not kill.” Is that an accurate translation? Is killing permitted in certain circumstances and if so, when?
After Charlie Hebdo, the satirical French magazine’s offices were attacked by terrorists and 12 people were killed, Charlie Hebdo published a cover with a heading over a weeping Mohammad saying, “All is forgiven.” A journalist for Charlie Hebdo who worked on the piece explains that the cover is a call to forgive the terrorists who killed her colleagues. Should they be forgiven? We tend to think of God as a king who commands. However, if you read the Torah closely you can also hear God speaking to you giving you advice on how you can help yourself.
It has been suggested that Louis Head should be charged with inciting a riot for the provocative comments he made after learning that the police officer who killed his step son, Michael Brown would not be indicted by a Ferguson, Missouri grand jury. Obviously, charging Brown’s step father would further inflame an already volatile situation. Both the Pharaoh of the Exodus and the Pharaoh of Joseph’s time were confronted with the challenge of balancing the need for justice against the need for peace but in very different ways. 
Though not a word of dialogue is recording between Isaac and his wife Rebecca each spouse individually prays for the wellbeing of the other. Is prayer enough?
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December 2017
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