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Tag: Talmud
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
Halakha and the Assessment of Risk
Halakha can be used for the assessment of risk; this can be relevant for pikuach nefesh (saving a life) or kashrut.
Rabbi Avram Israel Reisner
September 7, 2023
Ethics
Every Day
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
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
Ethical Approaches to Advertising: A Jewish Perspective
The responsibility of sellers to enact ethical advertising of their products is equal to, if not greater than that of the careful consumer.
Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal
,
The Observant Life (Book)
May 25, 2023
Business Ethics
Commerce
Talmudic Discussions on Monopolies
Where a monopoly offers a clear benefit to consumers, Jewish tradition does sanction them on a closely regulated basis.
Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal
,
The Observant Life (Book)
May 24, 2023
Business Ethics
Commerce
Fair Prices: A Jewish Perspective
The Mishnah defines the fair price of an item, such that the seller earn a fair price, while not defrauding the buyer.
Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal
,
The Observant Life (Book)
May 24, 2023
Business Ethics
Commerce
Commerce and Competition in Jewish Law
The Talmud sets a limited precedent for free market competition by balancing the rights of merchants with the interests of consumers.
Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal
,
The Observant Life (Book)
May 24, 2023
Business Ethics
Commerce
Biblical Texts Addressing Gossip
Human beings have been given the divine power of speech to enable our participation in the ongoing work of sustaining God’s creation.
Rabbi Benjamin Kramer
,
The Observant Life (Book)
May 18, 2023
Ethics
Inclusion
Jewish Prayer Leaders
An individual, Rabbi, Cantor, or volunteer, skilled in singing and well-versed in Torah learning and liturgy, is appointed to lead prayers.
Rabbi Dr. Karen Reiss Medwed
,
The Observant Life (Book)
May 16, 2023
Every Day
Prayer
Why Prayer Matters
Tefillah is more than the sum of its parts and encompasses far more than the obligation to recite certain specific daily prayers.
Rabbi Dr. Karen Reiss Medwed
,
The Observant Life (Book)
May 16, 2023
Every Day
Prayer
The Value of Using Set Prayers
By the use of set prayers, are we ipso facto guaranteeing that some will be obliged to recite words they do not find true or ...
Rabbi Dr. Karen Reiss Medwed
,
The Observant Life (Book)
May 15, 2023
Every Day
Prayer
Fasting While Ill
It is considered forbidden to fast on fast days if injurious to one’s health, for the sake of performing positive commandments.
Rabbi Carl Astor
,
The Observant Life (Book)
May 10, 2023
Health
Illness
Jewish Viewpoints on Serious Illness
We give thanks to God every day for the gift of life, but recognize that we are mortal and that illness and death will come.
Rabbi Carl Astor
,
The Observant Life (Book)
May 10, 2023
Health
Illness
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
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
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
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 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
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
Hanukkah: History and Context
What is Hanukkah's historical context? What does it actually commemorate? Who was Judah and the Maccabees?
Rabbi Alan Lucas
,
The Observant Life (Book)
November 30, 2022
Hanukkah
Holidays
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
Pushback
In the haftarah for Parashat Toldot, the Book of Malachi describes a dialogue of pushback between God and the people of Israel.
Bex Stern Rosenblatt
,
Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva
November 17, 2022
Parashat Toldot
Parashat Toldot Haftarah
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