Tag: Dvar 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

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.

Rabbi Amalya Volz February 1, 2024 JTS Senior Sermon Learning

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Far From the Tree

Tazria takes its name from conception and childbirth. Ilana Kurshan connects this to bearing fruit, both literally and metaphorically.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva March 29, 2023 Parashat Tazria Parashat Tazria Dvar Torah

Keeping Our Cool

When we lash out angrily at others, it is not really we who are speaking, but the evil inclination that takes control of us from ...

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva March 26, 2023 Parashat Shemini Parashat Shemini Dvar Torah

The Perpetual Flame

Parashat Tzav teaches us that in those moments when we don’t feel we have anything to offer, we offer nonetheless.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva March 19, 2023 Parashat Tzav Parashat Tzav Dvar Torah

In God’s Shadow

Parashat Pekudei describes the construction of the Mishkan in accordance with the specific instructions given by God to Moshe.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva February 28, 2023 Parashat Pekudei Parashat Pekudei Dvar Torah

The Aromatic Smokescreen

Our parashah contains the Ten Commandments, as well as instructions for preparing the Ketoret, the incense offered in the Tabernacle.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva February 22, 2023 Parashat Ki Tisa Parashat Ki Tisa Dvar Torah

Nothing But Radish Oil

This week’s parashah opens with God’s instructions to Moshe concerning the oil used for lighting the Menorah in the Mishkan.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva February 19, 2023 Parashat Tetzaveh Parashat Tetzaveh Dvar Torah

The Furnished Ark

Our parashah describes the creation of the Mishkan, especially the ark, holding the tablets, manna, Aaron's staff, and oil.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva February 13, 2023 Parashat Terumah Parashat Terumah Dvar Torah

The Baby in the Brick

Our parashah describes a puzzling episode, following the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai when elders of Israel envision God.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva February 5, 2023 Parashat Mishpatim Parashat Mishpatim Dvar Torah

Sitting Atop A Sundial

Our parashah contains the words of the Ten Commandments, which God speaks to Moses and the people of Israel from Mount Sinai.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva January 27, 2023 Parashat Yitro Parashat Yitro Dvar Torah

Make the Bitter Sweet

Just three days after escaping Egypt, the Israelites find themselves in the desert with no water, causing spiritual crises.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva January 19, 2023 Parashat Beshalach Parashat Beshalach Dvar Torah

Restarting Time

This week's parashah opens a conversation about when the beginning of the year is and the impact that it has on time itself.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva January 19, 2023 Parashat Bo Parashat Bo Dvar Torah

The Pizza Toast

Vaera opens with God reiterating the covenant made with Moshe's ancestors. What's the connection between this parshah and pizza toast?

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva January 10, 2023 Parashat Vaera Parashat Vaera Dvar Torah

Bridegroom of Blood

Shemot describes the early years of Moshe’s life up to the pivotal moment when he is informed of his mission awaiting him in Egypt.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva December 30, 2022 Parashat Shemot Parashat Shemot Dvar Torah

True Lovingkindness

Parashat Vayechi chronicles the deaths of Jacob and his son, Joseph, both of whom provide explicit instructions regarding their burials.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva December 27, 2022 Parashat Vayechi Parashat Vayechi Dvar Torah

Laden Wagons

In parashat Vayigash the patriarch Jacob learns the truth about his son Joseph, in realizing Joseph's laden wagons.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva December 26, 2022 Parashat Vayigash Parashat Vayigash Dvar Torah

Glimmers of an Incandescent Light

In parashat Miketz, Jacob sends his sons to Egypt, but unbeknownst to his sons, the ruler dispersing rations is their younger brother, Joseph.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva December 11, 2022 Parashat Miketz Parashat Miketz Dvar Torah

From Despair to Repair

In this week’s parashah, Judah's daughter-in-law Tamar tricks him into sleeping with her after she is not able to conceive with his sons.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva December 11, 2022 Parashat Vayeshev Parashat Vayeshev Dvar Torah

The Struggles That Shape Us

On the eve of Jacob’s meeting with his brother Esau, he finds himself wrestling with a divine figure, winning, and receiving a new name.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva December 5, 2022 Parashat Vayishlach Parashat Vayishlach Dvar Torah

A Spiritual Exercise

After leaving his father's home, Jacob dreams of God and experiences prayer for the first time. Learn about living in dialogue with God.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva November 27, 2022 Parashat Vayetzei Parashat Vayetzei Dvar Torah

A Crown of Glory

Parashat Chayei Sarah describes the final years of Abraham’s life, following the death of his wife Sarah and culminating in Abraham’s own death.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva November 13, 2022 Parashat Chayei Sarah Parashat Chayei Sarah Dvar Torah

The Moon is Always Female

In the beginning, according to God’s original plan, the Sun and the Moon were two who ruled alongside one another. What happened?

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva October 16, 2022 Parashat Bereshit Parashat Bereshit Dvar Torah

Tag: Dvar Torah

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