Michael Smerconish recently gave the commencement address at the Klein College of Media and Communications at Temple University. He spoke about rejection and failure and passed on to the graduates the lessons he learned from them. Failure and Rejection A person of diverse skills and talents, Mr. Smerconish’s talk pointed not to his successes but […]
Va-y’chi – Predictions for Each of the Twelve Tribes of Israel
When I started reading the Torah portion Va-y’chi I wasn’t struck so much by the scene of Jacob’s deathbed with all of his sons gathered around receiving blessing. That sounds like an appropriate scene for one of the patriarchs. It’s fairly apparent that these weren’t blessings but predictions of the future. And Jacob (Israel) didn’t […]
Vayigash – a Lesson in Choices
The Torah portion Vayigash continues the story of Joseph and his family. In this parsha, Joseph plants a cup in Benjamin’s bag then accuses him of stealing. While much could discussed around this actions, my focus this time is on the the choice put before their brother Judah. Choices Judah has a choice to make. […]
G-d Does Not Belong in Your Election Commentary
The morning after Roy Moore was defeated by Doug Jones in the Alabama special senatorial election, Rabbi David Evan Markus heard the commentary from both left and right and was disturbed. He explains his angst in an article published in The Forward called God does Not Belong in Your Election Commentary. Rabbi Markus’ article builds […]
Miketz and Chanukah: letting your light shine
This week’s Torah portion is called Mikeitz, which means “after”. In context, it’s two years after Joseph was sold into slavery. Since this parsha falls on the first night of Hanukkah I chose to sketchnote a dvar Torah by my friend Rabbi Rachel Barenblat. In her dvar Torah she connects this installment of the story […]