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Why are we talking about Yom Kippur now? This week’s parsha, Acharei Mot gives us the commandments related to observing the Day of Atonement. “And this shall be to you a law for all time: In the [...]

This is the time of year when we come across what is arguably the most challenging section of the Torah. The double portion of Tazria-Metzora bring us to the heart of the Book of Leviticus, a [...]

Parashat Shemini begins with the ordination of Aaron and his sons. Almost without warning or fanfare, they are brought before the entire community, washed with water, dressed up with appropriate [...]

The most engaging Passover Seder I experienced took place in 2008, during my first year of study at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Jerusalem. Friends invited me to join them [...]

This week, amidst the talk of burnt offerings, and offerings of ashes and animals, with all the splattering of blood, and oil, and wine, we find Moshe (Moses) at a turning point. It is time for [...]

Who’s coming to your Seder this year? Maybe you’re hosting the family and friends. Maybe even someone new. But the Seder is most complete when we also include others, people who may not otherwise [...]

Near the end of this week’s portion, Moses blesses the people on a job well done. For the previous three and half weekly Torah readings we read about the design and subsequent construction of the [...]

Last year, the Washington Post listed fourteen common suggestions from people with disabilities collected from a popular Reddit thread. First on the list was, “Don’t tell someone with a [...]

In Parashat Tetzaveh (Exodus 27:20 – 30:10), we read about the Priestly Vestments, the special clothing that Aaron and his sons wore, “For dignity and adornment.” (28:2)  This special [...]

Writing this piece is particularly timely for me. Last Friday, my congregation shared in a day of worship and solidarity with members of the local Muslim community. We prayed with them in their [...]