Judaism

Warning: At times, it appears that the authors may have forgotten the age of the intended audience when they reference death (three times in the Ruth story) and murder (Yael killing Sisera).

For all his accomplishments, King David made what appears to have been a serious mistake as a father, one that this week’s haftarah of parashat Chayei Sarah does not hesitate to expose.

Across 20 countries, three new institutions are reclaiming the worldly tradition of Jewish learning that once defined Sephardic Judaism, insisting it belongs to every Jew.

The elections have done little to break the deadlock, and another round would only further strain an already divided public, with little reason to expect a different outcome.

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Every person can act like the sun, spreading warmth and light and bringing healing to those around them. A welcoming countenance, a small smile, and genuine empathy can have amazing healing power.

By the time we read this week’s haftarah, Israelis will have gone to the polls to elect a new Knesset. After months of political arguments, accusations, and promises, the votes will have been cast.

God gifted us with traits that distinguish us from the rest of creation: self-awareness, complex emotions, cognitive speech, creativity, imagination, dreams, and political instincts.

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When we seek the higher values behind our everyday actions, daily life itself becomes a form of sacred service, allowing us to experience something of the Garden of Eden here on earth.