Posts Tagged Torah Commentary

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Mikeitz

Learning to Speak Up

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Kari Tuling
In this week's portion, Mikeitz, Joseph's life takes a turn for the better: not only do his external circumstances improve, he also starts to speak up for himself and begins to heal emotionally from the abuse he has experienced.
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Vayeishev

Caring for the Widow, the Stranger, and the Orphan

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Kari Tuling
In this week's Torah portion, Vayeishev, we learn about the imperative to care for the vulnerable in our midst (in this case, a widow). We also learn that it is not only appropriate but necessary for our ideas to evolve over time.
Small bud blooming in a ceramic pot alongside a felt heart on a stick
Vayeitzei

Growth Requires Truth

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Kari Tuling
Jacob was given a blessing that promised him all the worldly goods and acclaim he could want. He would be rich and important. But this week's portion, Vayeitzei, opens with Jacob using a rock as a pillow, utterly destitute and completely alone.
an image of two woman, standing back to back as if they are shadows of each other; both staded black on white background
Tol'dot

Accepting the Shadow

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Kari Tuling
In rabbinic literature, the twin brothers represent archetypes of two major civilizations: Jacob is Israel and Esau is Edom (Rome). Thus, the narrative becomes a fight between the forces of good and the forces of evil.
an image of a row of 6 people sitting in chairs praying
Chayei Sarah

When We Pray, What do We Pray For?

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Kari Tuling
In this week's Torah portion, Chayei Sarah, Abraham wishes to find a wife for his son, Isaac, and sends his servant Eliezer to find one among Abraham's kinsmen.
an image of a man standing in the middle of a dirt path that splits into two paths with a mountain in the background
Vayeira

Abraham’s Test and Recognizing Our Need to Change

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Kari Tuling
The Akeidah starts out so innocently, but quickly spins out of control. This is no ordinary test, no ordinary form of service. God asks Abraham to sacrifice the son he loves: Isaac. This is not merely a decree of death for Isaac, but a decree that Isaac die at Abraham's own hands.
an image of a woman sitting with her head on her knees, up against a brick wall
Lech L'cha

Hearing the Voice of the Powerless

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Kari Tuling
In Parashat Lech L'cha, Abram has been promised by God that he would father a child, but Sarai remains childless. Seeking to provide him with a much-needed and much-desired heir, Sarai concocts a plan.
Creative concept image of a woman profile with a bright sunset appearing as though its inside her head
Noach

The Leaders We Need

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Kari Tuling
Have you ever had to make a difficult moral decision that is life-defining but that doesn't have a clear answer? Usually, two deeply held values are revealed to conflict with each other by their very nature. Noach, in Parashat Noach, found himself faced with such a dilemma.
an image of a bunch of white street signs pointing in different directions with black words that say who, what, when, where, why, how, questions and answers
B'reishit

The Journey Toward Knowledge

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Kari Tuling
This week, we return to the start of the Torah, to the creation story. Or rather, we return to the creation stories, plural.
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