Rabbi Vered L. Harris

Rabbi Vered L. Harris, RJE is the spiritual leader of Temple B'nai Israel in Oklahoma City, OK. She appreciates how our ancient texts continue to speak to our modern experiences.

Torrah and Kippah
Matot - Mas'ei

Changing the Plan in a Holy Way

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Vered L. Harris
In the double portion, Matot/Mas’ei, we read how the tribes of Reuben and Gad asked Moses for permission to settle outside the Promised Land where the land was good for raising cattle. Moses is angry at their request to change direction.
Torrah and Kippah
Pinchas

Their Father’s Sin Is Not Their Own

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Vered L. Harris
In Parashat Pinchas, we learn the intriguing fact that “the sons of Korach did not die.” This conflicts with an account about Korach in an earlier chapter, which states that the ground opened up and swallowed him, his household and his followers. What does this discrepancy mean?
Torrah and Kippah
Balak

Distracted by Blessing

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Vered L. Harris
In this week’s Torah portion, Balak , the king of Moab, Balak, is afraid that the Israelites’ encampment will ravish his land. He seeks to have a diviner named Balaam curse the Israelites. But God turns the curses to blessings.
Torrah and Kippah
Chukat

Living in the Golden Mean

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Vered L. Harris
Parashat Chukat opens with the law of the parah adumah — the red heifer. It is a classic example of a commandment for which the Torah offers no explanation. How are we to understand and grapple with laws such as this that we do not understand? Perhaps we need to start not with the question, why, but with the question, why not.
Torrah and Kippah
Korach

Learning How to Go from Stress to Empowerment

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Vered L. Harris
In Parashat Korach , Moses’ cousin, Korach leads a rebellion against Moses and Aaron, demanding, “All the community are holy ... Why then do you raise yourselves above the Eternal’s congregation?” (Numbers 16:3). Often, Korach’s actions are interpreted to be the jealous behavior of one who sees himself as entitled to power. But what if his behavior reflects something different — a feeling of helplessness and a fear of being disenfranchised?