Category: Torah

How Do We Continue the Work of Liberation Without Miracles?

As we commemorate MLK Day, how can we support liberation in our communities? How do we continue the work of liberation without miracles?

Rachel Galanter April 5, 2024 Parashat Bo Parashat Bo Dvar Torah

On Relationships with God and Other Human Beings

Ilana Sandberg (JTS RS '24) explores parashat Ki Tisa and speaks on relationships with God and other human beings.

Ilana Sandberg February 29, 2024 JTS Senior Sermon Learning

The Torah of Disorienting Moments

Talia Kaplan (JTS RS '24) explores parashat Mishpatim and the Torah of disorienting moments, reflecting on her rabbinical school experience.

Rabbi Talia Kaplan February 7, 2024 JTS Senior Sermon Learning

The Rabbis’ Boogeyman: Learning About Forgiveness

What can we learn about forgiveness from the Rabbis' boogeyman? Esau is that boogeyman but we can learn from his relationship with Jacob.

Alex Friedman February 5, 2024 Parashat Vayishlach Parashat Vayishlach Dvar Torah

Binding Love and Loss

Amalya Volz (JTS RS '24) explores Parashat Yitro through the binding of love and loss and the people of Israel's relationship with God.

Amalya Volz February 1, 2024 JTS Senior Sermon Learning

Charlton Heston Speaking

We can learn about leadership from Moses, as well as from Charlton Heston speaking, as he plays Moses in the Ten Commandments movie.

David Harrison January 31, 2024 Holidays Learning

Shirat Hayam: They’re playing our song!

Shirat Hayam connects us to a collective memory and is the proof-text that enlarges, extends, and authenticates the meaning of the prayer.

Cantor Sharon Citrin Goldstein January 25, 2024 Holidays Parashat Beshalach

Why I Change the Melodies: Exploring Keva and Kavanah

By occasionally changing melodies, we draw from both Keva and Kavanah and invite ourselves into a deeper connection with our prayers.

Nichole Chorny, Cantorial Intern and Education & Youth Director at Congregation Anshei Israel January 22, 2024 Holidays Music

How to Write a D’var Torah

There are many ways to write a d'var Torah. Read how this rabbi thinks about giving divrei Torah and what she thinks about while writing.

Rabbi Sydni Adler Rubinstein December 26, 2023 Every Day Learning

Jacob and Esav: The Original Yom Sport

The story of Jacob and Esav's relationship is a paradigm of biblical “Color War” and what really winning actually means.

Emily Kaiman December 8, 2023 Parashat Vayishlach Parashat Vayishlach Dvar Torah

Dinah: An Unexpected Trans Story

Based on rabbinic midrash from tractate Berakhot, Dinah can be read either as a trans woman or, as this piece argues, a closeted trans man.

Saffron Mala Kaplan December 8, 2023 Parashat Vayishlach Parashat Vayishlach Dvar Torah

Elevating the Matriarchs, and the Women, in Judaism

Elevating the Matriarchs is important. Rabbi Goodman encourages this with a midrash on Parashat Shemini, urging that representation matters.

Rabbi Mark Asher Goodman December 6, 2023 Inclusion Learning

Finding Quiet Solace in a Stormy World

Caleb Brommer, RS '24, speaks on finding quiet solace in a stormy world, for his JTS senior sermon, on Parashat Vayishlach.

Caleb Brommer November 30, 2023 JTS Senior Sermon Learning

How do you Solve a Problem Like Esav?

Rabbi Mordechai Rackover teaches: Life is not a zero-sum and one of the keys is to recognize that people grow and change.

Rabbi Mordechai Rackover November 17, 2023 Parashat Toldot Parashat Toldot Dvar Torah

The Right Time for Atheism

The story of Avraham is full of tragedy but also the great gift of speaking truth to power and knowing when not to believe.

Rabbi Mordechai Rackover November 2, 2023 Parashat Vayera Parashat Vayera Dvar Torah

In the Name of All of Israel

Building on ideas of Levi Yitzhak of Berdichev and Maimonides - Avraham showed us a path to repair even in the darkest of times.

Rabbi Mordechai Rackover October 26, 2023 Parashat Lech Lecha Parashat Lech Lecha Dvar Torah

Psalms for this Time of Crisis in Israel

Seven psalms as a liturgical response to our individual and collective emotions, including grief, fear, rage, desperation, and others.

Rabbinical Assembly October 19, 2023 Hebrew Bible Israel

The Torah of the Summer Barbecue

Summer barbecues are great for relaxation and rejuvenation, and an opportunity to extend and receive hospitality like Abraham and Sarah.

Rabbi Mark Asher Goodman June 22, 2023 Food Hospitality

Shlach Lecha: Learning Inclusion from the Scouts

As God commanded Moses to include Caleb and Joshua, we can imagine the same command applies to us. We can seek to include people.

Hazzan Sara Geffen Geller June 16, 2023 Inclusion Parashat Shlach

The Faceless Nemesis

Having just experienced the most intimate time of the year, reflecting on our actions, we celebrate Sukkot and see a faceless nemesis.

Bex Stern Rosenblatt, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva June 12, 2023 Parashat V'zot Haberacha Haftarah Parashat V'zot Haberachah

Study Guide: Who Is Writing Moses’ Death?

In the study guide for V'zot Habracha, Vered Hollander-Goldfarb explores who is writing Moses' death and what we can learn.

Vered Hollander-Goldfarb, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva June 12, 2023 Parashat V'zot Haberachah Parashat V'zot Haberachah Study Guide

Swaddled By God

On the festival of Sukkot, we are commanded to dwell in temporary huts so as to remember the Israelites swaddled by God.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva June 12, 2023 Parashat V'zot Haberachah Parashat V'zot Haberachah Dvar Torah

From Moses to David

As we approach the end of the Torah cycle, we juxtapose two of our leading men—Moses from the Torah portion and King David from the ...

Bex Stern Rosenblatt, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva June 12, 2023 Parashat Haazinu Parashat Haazinu Haftarah

Study Guide: The Pangs of Transition

As Moshe embarks on his final speech to the Israelites, the nation readies itself for the transition of leadership from Moshe to Joshua.

Vered Hollander-Goldfarb, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva June 12, 2023 Parashat Haazinu Parashat Haazinu Study Guide

Bright Wings

Parashat Haazinu is the poem that Moshe sings to the people of Israel before he delivers his deathbed blessing, discussing bright wings.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva June 12, 2023 Parashat Haazinu Parashat Haazinu Dvar Torah

Rebelling or Repenting

The haftorah this week, the week of Shabbat Shuvah, is all about return and repentance, focusing on the rebelling or repenting of this time.

Bex Stern Rosenblatt, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva June 12, 2023 Parashat Vayelech Parashat Vayelech Haftarah

Study Guide: Staying in Touch

The study guide for Parashat Vayelech explores the shemitah that comes every seven years, especially discussing the connection to Sukkot.

Vered Hollander-Goldfarb, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva June 12, 2023 Parashat Vayelech Parashat Vayelech Study Guide

The Prairie and the Wilderness

This week we read about Moshe writing down the Torah, comparing that to Little House on the Prairie—the prairie and the wilderness.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva June 12, 2023 Parashat Vayelech Parashat Vayelech Dvar Torah

The Big Bad Wolf

Our haftarah, is the final of the seven haftarot of consolation. Humans question God, just as Red Riding Hood questions the Big Bad Wolf.

Bex Stern Rosenblatt, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva June 9, 2023 Parashat Nitzavim Parashat Nitzavim Haftarah

Study Guide: Cutting A Covenant

The study guide for this week's parashah explores the physical acts of making a covenant, with commentary from Bechor Shor and Hizkuni.

Vered Hollander-Goldfarb, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva June 9, 2023 Parashat Nitzavim Parashat Nitzavim Study Guide

Beyond the Sea

Parashat Nitzavim, which we read just before Rosh Hashanah, speaks of the importance of repenting and returning to God after we have sinned.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva June 9, 2023 Parashat Nitzavim Parashat Nitzavim Dvar Torah

Got Milk?

During the seven haftarot of consolation, we return to the idea of Jerusalem reuniting with her children, once again able to care for them.

Bex Stern Rosenblatt, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva June 9, 2023 Parashat Ki Tavo Parashat Ki Tavo Haftarah

Study Guide: This Land Is Our Land?

This week's parashah focuses on an excerpt of the text that discusses the ownership of the land of Israel before the Israelite's cross over.

Vered Hollander-Goldfarb, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva June 9, 2023 Parashat Ki Tavo Parashat Ki Tavo Study Guide

Secret Sins

Moshe charges the people to renew the terms of their covenant with God before entering the land, necessary for sins committed in secret.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva June 9, 2023 Parashat Ki Tavo Parashat Ki Tavo Dvar Torah

Broken Trust

This week’s haftarah, the fifth of the seven readings of consolation between Tisha B’Av and Rosh HaShana, talks about broken trust.

Bex Stern Rosenblatt, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva June 8, 2023 Parashat Ki Teitzei Parashat Ki Teitzei Haftarah

Study Guide: Good Person, Beware of Yourself

This week's study guide looks at a passage from the parashah about what the Israelite camp should be like in the wilderness.

Vered Hollander-Goldfarb, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva June 8, 2023 Parashat Ki Teitzei Parashat Ki Teitzei Study Guide

Parents on the Same Page

Family dynamics, and parents on the same page, are alluded to in the many commandments discussed in this week’s parashah.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva June 8, 2023 Parashat Ki Teitzei Parashat Ki Teitzei Dvar Torah

Like Grass

We define ourselves by our covenant, by the terms of our relationship with God. It goes in cycles like grass—growing, dying, growing again.

Bex Stern Rosenblatt, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva June 6, 2023 Parashat Shoftim Parashat Shoftim Haftarah

Study Guide: Go Home!

This week's study guide looks at the preparations made before going to war and the considerations that must be taken into account.

Vered Hollander-Goldfarb, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva June 6, 2023 Parashat Shoftim Parashat Shoftim Study Guide

No Going Back

This parashah deals with the administration of justice in the land of Israel and the connection between no going back to Egypt.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva June 6, 2023 Parashat Shoftim Parashat Shoftim Dvar Torah

Birth Before Labor

In looking at this week's haftarah, explore the concept of birth before labor, as demonstrated by the concept of labor pains in our stories.

Bex Stern Rosenblatt, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva June 6, 2023 Parashat Re'eh Parashat Re'eh Haftarah

Study Guide: To Lend or To Give?

The study guide for Parashat Re'eh looks at the relationship between the shmitah year, debts, loans, and tzedakah.

Vered Hollander-Goldfarb, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva June 6, 2023 Parashat Re'eh Parashat Re'eh Study Guide

The Long and Short of It

The Dvar Torah for Parashat Re'eh explores choosing between two paths, the long and the short of it, when the choices are presented.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva June 6, 2023 Parashat Re'eh Parashat Re'eh Dvar Torah

Birthing Israel

This week's haftarah compares the birthing of Israel in the generations recorded in the Torah with similar experiences in the haftarah.

Bex Stern Rosenblatt, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva June 6, 2023 Parashat Eikev Parashat Eikev Haftarah

Study Guide: Food or Famine? Up to Us?

The study guide for parashat Eikev explores the Shema and the mitzvot mandated by the sacred prayer, such as mezuzot and tefillin.

Vered Hollander-Goldfarb, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva June 6, 2023 Parashat Eikev Parashat Eikev Study Guide

A Conduit of Blessing

In this parashah, Moshe prepares the people for their entry into Israel, extolling the conduit of blessing that they are about to conquer.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva June 6, 2023 Parashat Eikev Parashat Eikev Dvar Torah

Alone or Lonely?

This Shabbat is Shabbat Nachamu, the Shabbat of Comforting, so we explore if what it means to be alone or lonely.

Bex Stern Rosenblatt, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva June 5, 2023 Paarashat Va'etchanan Haftarah Parashat Va'etchanan

Study Guide: Danger of Complacency

This week's study guide explores the danger of complacency in relation to our parashah, using commentary by Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch.

Vered Hollander-Goldfarb, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva June 5, 2023 Parashat Va'etchanan Parashat Va'etchanan Study Guide

Moshe the Mother

In this week’s parashah, we see a depiction of Moshe the Mother as he pleas with God to enter the land of Israel with the ...

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva June 5, 2023 Parashat Va'etchanan Parashat Va'etchanan Dvar Torah

On Dialogue

This week’s haftarah is the final haftarah of the Three Weeks before Tisha b’Av and presents a parallel on dialogue between Isaiah and Eicha.

Bex Stern Rosenblatt, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva June 5, 2023 Parashat Devarim Parashat Devarim Haftarah

Study Guide: Ejection Born from Rejection

The study guide for parashat Devarim looks at the story of the twelve spies, in the books of Devarim and Numbers, and connects a midrash.

Vered Hollander-Goldfarb, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva June 5, 2023 Parashat Devarim Parashat Devarim Study Guide

Moshe’s Memoir

Deuteronomy presents an interesting paradox to the literary reader of the Bible in the form of Moshe's memoir.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva June 5, 2023 Parashat Devarim Parashat Devarim Dvar Torah

The Boiling Point

In these weeks leading up to Tisha B’av, we read a passage of Jeremiah, overflowing with water imagery and see the boiling point.

Bex Stern Rosenblatt, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva May 30, 2023 Parashat Masei Parashat Masei Haftarah

Study Guide: All Over Again?!

This week's study guide continues an ongoing conversation about how to divide the land of Israel for the tribes of the Israelites.

Vered Hollander-Goldfarb, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva May 30, 2023 Parashat Masei Parashat Masei Study Guide

A Lyric of Love

Parashat Masei opens with a long list of all the encampments of the Israelites in the wilderness and discusses a lyric of love.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva May 30, 2023 Parashat Masei Parashat Masei Dvar Torah

Marriage (and) Vows

Our parashah begins with the laws governing oaths and vows. Then the Torah discusses the various types of vows and how they are used.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva May 30, 2023 Parashat Matot Parashat Matot Dvar Torah

Building Walls

This week's haftarah marks the three weeks leading up to Tisha B'av and uses Jeremiah's words to do so, when Israelites are building walls.

Bex Stern Rosenblatt, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva May 29, 2023 Parashat Pinchas Parashat Pinchas Haftarah

Study Guide: The Land Should Be Divided

The study guide for Parashat Pinchas investigates the division of the land of Israel among the twelve tribes of the nation.

Vered Hollander-Goldfarb, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva May 29, 2023 Parashat Pinchas Parashat Pinchas Study Guide

Moshe’s Forced Retirement

At the end of the Israelites’ journey in the wilderness, Moshe’s job is terminated prematurely. This explores Moshe's forced retirement.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva May 29, 2023 Parashat Pinchas Parashat Pinchas Dvar Torah

What is Good?

There is something disturbing in hearing basic tenants of human decency presented as revelatory. Our haftarah explores what is good.

Bex Stern Rosenblatt, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva May 29, 2023 Parashat Balak Parashat Balak Haftarah

Study Guide: My Land or My Resources?

The study guide for Parashat Balak continues the discussion of a concept in the study guide for Parashat Chukat, about passing through land.

Vered Hollander-Goldfarb, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva May 29, 2023 Parashat Balak Parashat Balak Study Guide

The Unwanted Gaze

In Parashat Balak, the Moabite king Balak hires Bilaam to curse his Israelite neighbors. Bilaam notices the prevention of the unwanted gaze.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva May 29, 2023 Parashat Balak Parashat Balak Dvar Torah

Powerful Vows

Our haftarah this week tells the brutal story of powerful vows and human sacrifices and all of the complications that go with it.

Bex Stern Rosenblatt, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva May 29, 2023 Parashat Chukat Parashat Chukat Haftarah

Parashat Chukat Studay Guide: Passing Through the Land

Study Guide: Passing Through the Land

The study guide for Parashat Chukat focuses on the Israelites passing through the land and their relationship with other regions.

Vered Hollander-Goldfarb, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva May 29, 2023 Parashat Chukat Parashat Chukat Study Guide

Spare the Rod

This week's parashah, Chukat, focuses on the story of Moshe hitting the rock, choosing not to spare the rod, to get water.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva May 29, 2023 Parashat Chukat Parashat Chukat Dvar Torah

Saul and Eve

This week's haftarah discusses Saul's assumption of power as the first king of Israel. Bex Stern Rosenblatt compares Saul with Eve.

Bex Stern Rosenblatt, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva May 28, 2023 Parashat Korach Parashat Korach Haftarah

Study Guide: Do As I Mean, Not As I Say

Korach led a rebellion against Moshe (and Aaron). Ahead of the incense trial, Korach gathers the congregation against Moshe and Aaron.

Vered Hollander-Goldfarb, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva May 28, 2023 Parashat Korach Parashat Korach Study Guide

Disputation Without Denigration

Korach and his followers, a rebellion undermining the leadership of Moshe and Aaron, teach about disputation without denigration.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva May 28, 2023 Parashat Korach Parashat Korach Dvar Torah

Whores and Heroes

This week’s parasha starts out gloriously—we scout out the land in order to enter it. Then we investigate the concept of whores and heroes.

Bex Stern Rosenblatt, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva May 28, 2023 Parashat Shlach Parashat Shlach Haftarah

Stronger Than Whom?

The study guide for Shlach focuses on the phrase used by spies, that the people of the land of Israel were too strong for the ...

Vered Hollander-Goldfarb, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva May 28, 2023 Parashat Shlach Parashat Shlach Study Guide

Spies and Tzitzit: Camels and Death

Our parashah is bookended by the story of the spies and tzitzit. This leads to a discussion on the obligation of mitzvot.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva May 28, 2023 Parashat Shlach Parashat Shlach Dvar Torah

On Regifting

We look at Leah's children's names and how its haftarah connection. Through this, we work on regifting God's gift to the rest of the world. ...

Bex Stern Rosenblatt, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva May 19, 2023 Parashat Behaalotcha Parashat Behaalotcha Haftarah

Study Guide: Blisters On Feet or The Soul?

This week's study guide looks at the complaints of Bnei Yisrael, as they are wandering through the desert, and what is behind this.

Vered Hollander-Goldfarb, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva May 19, 2023 Parashat Behaalotcha Parashat Behaalotcha Study Guide

Lamps Give Lights

Behaalotcha describes the appointment of seventy elders to help judge the people and leadership in terms of the phrase "lamps give light."

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva May 19, 2023 Parashat Behaalotcha Parashat Behaalotcha Dvar Torah

Names and Blessings

Names are important—they tell the world who we are and help us understand ourselves. This Haftarah discusses names and blessings.

Bex Stern Rosenblatt, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva May 17, 2023 Parashat Naso Parashat Naso Haftarah

Study Guide: One Day of Glory

The study guide for Parashat Naso presents commentaries from Rashi and Hizkuni to explore the building of the Mishkan.

Vered Hollander-Goldfarb, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva May 17, 2023 Parashat Naso Parashat Naso Study Guide

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

Our parashah describes the laws of the Nazir, one who elects to take a vow of consecration to God for a certain period of time. ...

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva May 17, 2023 Parashat Naso Parashat Naso Dvar Torah

Missing Mothers

The haftarah for Parashat Bamidbar is taken from the Book of Hosea and explores the concept of missing mothers.

Bex Stern Rosenblatt, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva May 16, 2023 Parashat Bamidbar Parashat Bamidbar Haftarah

Study Guide: How You Say What You Say

This week's study guide focuses on Ruth, in preparation for Shavuot. Specifically, "How You Say What You Say" explores Ruth and Boaz.

Vered Hollander-Goldfarb, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva May 16, 2023 Parashat Bamidbar Parashat Bamidbar Study Guide

Flags at the Shabbat Table

In this week’s parashah we learn that the Israelites traveled through the wilderness like a troop of soldiers or a marching band.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva May 16, 2023 Parashat Bamidbar Parashat Bamidbar Dvar Torah

Humanity: The Incurable Illness

The haftarah for Bechukotai is from the book of Jeremiah and discusses two words, Eikev and Enosh, and what these words mean.

Bex Stern Rosenblatt, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva April 28, 2023 Parashat Bechukotai Parashat Bechukotai Haftarah

Study Guide: The Vessel of Blessings

The study guide for Bechukotai explores how "peace" is used in this week's parashah, as well as the commentary surrounding this.

Vered Hollander-Goldfarb, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva April 28, 2023 Parashat Bechukotai Parashat Bechukotai Study Guide

Showered in Blessing

Parashat Bechukotai consists of a litany of blessings and curses that will befall the Jewish people depending on whether or not we obey God.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva April 28, 2023 Parashat Bechukotai Parashat Bechukotai Dvar Torah

Words Don’t Reach

Jeremiah tends to find himself left speechless as he is our prophet through the destruction of Judah, Jerusalem, and the First Temple.

Bex Stern Rosenblatt, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva April 26, 2023 Parashat Behar Parashat Behar Haftarah

Study Guide: For the Land is Mine

The study guide for Behar focuses on the concept of Shmitah, the rest year, and the language used to refer to it.

Vered Hollander-Goldfarb, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva April 26, 2023 Parashat Behar Parashat Behar Study Guide

Given Over to the Heart

While this week's parashah mainly focuses on shmitah, this Dvar Torah explores a line in the parashah, focusing on how to treat others.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva April 26, 2023 Parashat Behar Parashat Behar Dvar Torah

Working Behind the Scene

Our haftarah expands on the parasha, limiting priestly work in the mikdash to only the descendants of Zadok.

Bex Stern Rosenblatt, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva April 25, 2023 Parashat Emor Parashat Emor Haftarah

Study Guide: Sticks and Stones?

This week's study guide focuses on the curse of a person accused of violence. Discuss blasphemy versus blessing in this context.

Vered Hollander-Goldfarb, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva April 25, 2023 Parashat Emor Parashat Emor Study Guide

Among the Bearded Barley

Parshat Emor describes the Omer offering must be brought on the “day after the Sabbath," the second day of the Passover holiday.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva April 25, 2023 Parashat Emor Parashat Emor Dvar Torah

Perspective

Our haftarah starts bold and bloody, and connects the destruction in Amos to the destruction in the story of Noah and the flood.

Bex Stern Rosenblatt, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva April 19, 2023 Parashat Kedoshim Parashat Kedoshim Haftarah

Study Guide: Plugging of the Loophole

The study guide for Kedoshim synthesizes Rashi, Rashbam, and Ramban to discuss a text from Vayikra about holiness.

Vered Hollander-Goldfarb, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva April 19, 2023 Parashat Kedoshim Parashat Kedoshim Study Guide

How Old Is Old?

Public buses in Israel feature a sign that quotes from a verse in this week’s parashah: “You shall rise before the aged'' (Leviticus 19:32).

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva April 19, 2023 Parashat Kedoshim Parashat Kedoshim Dvar Torah

I Need Your Sacrifices After All

This week’s parashah contains God’s instructions to Moshe concerning Aaron’s entrance into the Holy of Holies to achieve atonement.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva April 17, 2023 Parashat Acharei Mot Parashat Acharei Mot Dvar Torah

Parashat Acharei Mot Study Guide: Biblical Sartyrs

Study Guide: Biblical Satyrs

This study guide follows the word "se'irim," meaning sartyrs, through multiple biblical texts, tying this in with Ibn Ezra's commentary.

Vered Hollander-Goldfarb, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva April 17, 2023 Parashat Acharei Mot Parashat Acharei Mot Study Guide

Fathers

This week, we read 1 Samuel 20, the story of Jonathan helping David escape from King Saul, in conjunction with Parashat Achrei Mot.

Bex Stern Rosenblatt, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva April 17, 2023 Parashat Acharei Mot Parashat Acharei Mot Haftarah

Zealous Duo

This final Shabbat before Pesach, Shabbat HaGadol, our haftarah positions us, juxtaposing Moses with the future coming of Elijah.

Bex Stern Rosenblatt, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva April 16, 2023 Parashat Metzora Parashat Metzora Haftarah

Study Guide: When Walls Speak

The study guide for this week's parashah, Meztora, discusses the impact that tzaraat has on the physical objects it touches.

Vered Hollander-Goldfarb, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva April 16, 2023 Parashat Metzora Parashat Metzora Study Guide

One Mouth Per Person

The dangers of inappropriate speech are connected to the parashah, Metzora, the person stricken with leprosy.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva April 16, 2023 Parashat Metzora Parashat Metzora Dvar Torah

Finding a Prince Charming

This week's haftarah, from the book of Ezekiel, discusses the changing power structures and leadership in the changing times of Israel.

Bex Stern Rosenblatt, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva March 29, 2023 Parashat Tazria Parashat Tazria Haftarah

Study Guide: A Wonder Is Born

The study guide for Tazria focuses on pregnancy and childbirth and the outcomes of purity versus impurity derived from this.

Vered Hollander-Goldfarb, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva March 29, 2023 Parashat Tazria Parashat Tazria Study Guide

Category: Torah

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