Posts Tagged Torah Commentary

Photo of a woman wrapped in an Israeli flag
Vayishlach

Reading Dinah’s Story After October 7

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Dr. Wendy Zierler
In the wake of the brutal Hamas attack against the villages and kibbutzim along the southern border of Israel and the ensuing war in Gaza and Lebanon, there has been a flood of new Hebrew poetry published on various platforms. One such poem is "Dinah" by poet and literature professor Smadar Falk Peretz, which was published in the online journal Gluyah in early 2024. It responds to the horrors of October 7th using Dinah's story from Parashah Vayishlach, and from an unabashedly female point of view.
Photo of a woman praying at the Western Wall
Vayeitzei

God of Leah

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Dr. Wendy Zierler
There is reason to argue, however, that Hannah is not actually the first biblical woman to pray: that this female spiritual path maker is actually our foremother Leah, as seen in this week's Torah portion of Vayeitzei.
Photo of two people holding hands in a field
Tol'dot

Innocently Walking the Fields

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Dr. Wendy Zierler
Then comes this week's parashah, Tol'dot, about the birth of Rebecca's twin sons. The first, Esau, is defined by his head of red hair and the second, Jacob, by clinging to the heel ('eqev) of his older brother.
Torah Commentary
Chayei Sarah

The Life of Sarah: Abstract and Addenda

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Dr. Wendy Zierler
The last time we see Sarah alive, she is celebrating the weaning of her son, Yitzḥak. Suddenly, she sees Hagar’s son “metzaḥek” (playing). Metzahek is an ambiguous term suggesting inappropriate behavior, or, in its proximity to the name Yitzḥak, an effort to seize Isaac’s place for himself. Sarah quickly determines
Photo of a person walking two camels in the desert, two people are riding on one, one person is riding on the other
Lech L'cha

Hurry Up, There’s Only So Much Time!

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Dr. Wendy Zierler
One of the most common questions asked about Parashat Lech L'cha concerns the very first verse: Why does God command Abraham "Lech L'cha," adding in the seemingly superfluous l'cha (for yourself)?
Photo of the silhouette of two hands reaching for each other in front of a sun set
Vayeira

A Test of Fear, a Quest for Love

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Dr. Wendy Zierler
The Akeidah story opens with a description of Isaac as the son "asher ahavta" (whom you love) but concludes by lopping off the modifier "whom you love." This suggests a quelling of familial love during Abraham and Isaac's hike up Mount Moriah.
A photo of two men and a woman looking down at a Torah scroll
Sh'mini Atzeret and Simchat Torah

From Simchat Torah to Sichat Torah

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Yael Vurgan
There is no need to explain why there will be no joy on Simchat Torah this year in the western Negev. The looming first anniversary of the massacre is causing anger, frustration, and despair to flood back. As long as hostages are still held in Gaza, residents of the region are still stuck on October 7.
Photo of three people holding right hands in a circle
Noach

The Human Brotherhood of Shem, Ham, and Yefet

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Dr. Wendy Zierler
Naomi Shemer is considered by many to be Israel's greatest songwriter. She wrote comedic and tragic songs about nearly every aspect of Israel's history, including several episodes from the Torah. Among them is her 1971 poem/song, "Shem, Ham, and Yefet," a modern take on the biblical story of Noah's three sons, which appears in this week's Torah portion, Parashat Noach.
Photo of two feet walking on a tightrope
Chol HaMo-eid Sukkot

Real and Imagined: A Sukkot Balancing Act

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Sari Laufer
The Torah reading for the Shabbat of Sukkot was certainly chosen for its reference to the holidays in Exodus 34:18-23. But at the end of Exodus 33, Moses makes a request for his wild and precious life, one which offers powerful lessons for Sukkot even today.
Photo of a metal star of david and vines in a synagogue
Yom Kippur

Shifting from Judgement to Mercy

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Sari Laufer
It is incredibly powerful that we are reminded on Yom Kippur, not (only) of God's power, but our own. So much High Holiday theology feels like it lies in stark contrast to this. We read of God's sovereignty and dominion; we beg Our Parent, Our Sovereign for goodness and mercy.
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