Alienation and Reconciliation
By Rabbi Nathan Kamesar We studied Parashat Shofetim, the Torah portion known as Shofetim, or, Judges. As a reminder, we find ourselves in the final book of the Torah, Devarim (Deuteronomy), where Moses is delivering his final speeches on the eve of their entering into the Promised Land without him. In particular, this week’s parashah had him holding forth about four important […]
A God Who Cares
This past week we studied Parashat Re’eh—the Torah portion known as Re’eh, which literally means, “See!” as in Moses telling the Israelites to see the choice that has been presented before them between blessing and curse. By Rabbi Nathan Kamesar The parashah (Torah portion) picks up in the middle of a speech Moses is delivering to the Israelites on […]
The Secret Ingredient
By Rabbi Nathan Kamesar A couple of weeks ago, we lifted up the strange yet meaningful blessing called Birkat Hagomel which we say when we’ve made it through a harrowing experience, in which we say Baruch atah Adonai eloheinu melekh ha-olam ha-gomel l’hayavim tovot, she-g’malani kol tov: Blessed are you Adonai, sovereign of time and space, who rewards […]