יום רביעי, ט׳ תמוז תשפ״וWednesday, June 24, 2026
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Rabbi Avi Weiss is founding president of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah and senior rabbi of the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale. His memoir of the Soviet Jewry movement, “Open Up the Iron Door,” was recently published by Toby Press.
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“Behold, I accept upon myself the commandment of the Lord to love my neighbor as myself.”
Mr. Bowman, you have said before that “this is not about singling out Israel and targeting Israel.” Yet it seems to me, at least in regard to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, that this is exactly what you are doing.
Both Yehudah & Yehudah HaMaccabee were aware of their missions challenges, yet, they went forward
Jacob's response to his sons' feud reversed the actions of his youth-he sends Joseph to reconcile
We must re-focus our priorities & our communal resources from Jewish defense to Jewish spirituality
How is it possible that Yaakov didn't know he spent his wedding night with Leah rather than Rachel?
Yehuda & Yosef are the tikun (repairing) for Yaakov, who deceived his father and suffered for it.
Avraham identifies himself as a ger toshav meaning "alien resident." How could Avraham be both?
Both portions deal with God’s promises to Avraham; Lech Lecha is nationalistic, Vayeira is universal
It is important to appreciate Terah, the foundation from which the patriarchs and matriarchs emerged
Noah's children teach different responses to being disappointed by someone dear-or even God Himself
After all, many sinners live in mansions, and in the post-Holocaust era it’s impossible to conclude that those who suffered sinned.
Why is Sukkot deemed the ultimate holiday of happiness and joy?
Said the Ba’al Shem Tov “God is also crying. For as much as He looks for us, we rarely look for Him”
Only in Israel do we have the sovereignty & independence to become a light to the nations.
The love between Gd & Israel is deeper than marriage; beyond the infinite love of parent for child
Torah teaches that trees must be protected for the trees themselves, sake of man, & for life lessons
Parshat Re’eh discusses our obligations upon entering Israel, Yerushalayim & our covenantal mission
3 Jewish rituals–family purity, ksahrut, and Shabbat-help us understand that mitzvot are our benefit
Devarim often parallels the stories in Bereishit but in reverse & can be considered as a corrective
When living in Israel, how can we be a light to the world's nations if we don’t live among non-Jews?
With Ruth, The Torah seems to be stating that children shouldn't be punished for the sins of parents
Halacha isn't random; it's a mechanism guiding individuals and society to a higher ethical plateau.
Essential principle of arguments for Heaven's sake is recognizing no 1 person has monopoly on truth
It becomes clear that the problem the Jewish people faced wasn't temporary but endemic to its core
Mitzvot, even restrictive laws, often teach self-discipline which is a venue to freedom.
Torah learning is valueless unless it enhances personal morality, fostering closer connection to God
The census focused on the individual, proving each is created as irreplaceable, unique images of God
Torah hints to a divided Jerusalem that will become a city without walls forever united
While Judaism believes the hereafter is of important status, it takes a back seat to this world.
Myth that niddah=dirty stopped many women from accepting laws of family purity and must be shattered
Poland's great Jewish cities where Jewish life had once flourished and thrived, were now desolate
Kashrut reminds us that in the end, God is the arbiter of right and wrong.
Unless ritual is introduced, the Shoah will be remembered as a footnote in history in 100 years
Dayenu is not a song of complaint; it is rather a song of thanksgiving to God.
Often people in important positions separate from everyday people & tasks-NOT the Kohen Gadol
"Adam" speaks to the universal dimension of the Temple. He is the parent of all humankind.
Perhaps the greatest manifestation of human creativity in the Torah is the building of the Mishkan
In holy places it's important to maintain a level of silence permitting people to dialogue with God
A 3rd option: No demarcation between bein adam laMakom & bein adam lechaveiro; they're complementary
The truth is that a mitzvah may not be the result of belief but rather the means to come to believe.
"Where is God?" asked the Kotzker Rebbe "God is not everywhere but only where you let Him enter"
In fact, wherever you see soldiers in Paris today, you pretty much know you’re near Jewish site
Recouping $ and assets from Germans and Swiss for their Holocaust actions is rooted in the Exodus
The plagues don't reveal a God of vengeance but of compassion; after each triplet Egypt can repent
"He looked this way and that way" means Moses looked within to see whether he was Egyptian or Jewish
When Yaakov asks "Who are these?" he's means “Do my grandchildren identify as Egyptians or Jews?”
Though we Jews have deep obligations to all people our obligation to our fellow Jew is unique.
The dreams revealed their differences: The butler was active; the baker completely passive.
Benno Yaakov, the German Jewish commentator, posits Yaakov's limping caused Eisav's change of heart.
Jacob cries, overcome by the knowledge that his great love for Rachel will end in unbearable pain.
Yitzchak thought the Jewish people needed dual leadership: Eisav the physical; Yaakov the spiritual
Perhaps deep down Eliezer did hesitate. In his heart of hearts, he may not have wanted to succeed.
To be fully saved means not only to come out physically unscathed but emotionally healthy as well.
Having herself been victimized by Pharoah, Sarah should have been more sensitive to Hagar.
Noah and his wife could not fathom living together as husband and wife and continuing the human race
If one hurts another human being, God is hurt; if one brings joy to another, God is more joyous.
The Sukka: Even if you find it difficult to come to the synagogue, the synagogue will come to you.
Ba’al Shem Tov: “Hashem, too, is crying; as much as He is looking for us, we rarely look for Him.”
On Rosh Hashanah we are taught that true self-analysis involves the breaking down of walls
The Torah notes that even when we are dispersed God will return us to Him.
Simcha is total; sahs is God’s joy in protecting us even when we are most vulnerable.
the test of moral integrity truly presents itself when one faces difficult situations.
Of paramount importance is that both the king and his people realize that while he is the leader, he is still a subject of God.
Rabbinic law is pivotal but it's important to understand which laws are rabbinic and which biblical.
Israel is the only place where we have the potential to fulfill our mandate as the chosen people.
Rav Kook of blessed memory, who said that no matter where a Jew is born, he is born in Israel.
One must act as if everything depends on us and pray as if everything depends on God.
When taking any major step in life it is a good idea to carefully re-evaluate one’s past.
Important message for Jews in the Diaspora: In times of need run to Israel rather than from Israel.
With a loud and strong voice we must say “no” to individuals who take the law into their own hands.
An opinion recorded in the Talmud states that prayers correspond to the daily sacrifices offered in the Temple that are mentioned in this week’s portion (Berachot 26b, Numbers 28:4). It’s been argued that this opinion may be the conceptual base for our standardized prayer. Since sacrifices had detailed structure, our prayers also have a set text. […]
Hate and Love; Opposite sides of the coin of motivation.
Leaders must be careful to subdue their ego. The cause is larger than the personal concerns of one person.
The story of the spies, in this week's Torah portion, is viewed as an episode revealing the Jews' basic lack of faith in God.
Ultimately the Torah is a book that reflects a system of ethics that comes from God.
May we feel the pain of what is happening in Israel not merely as members of the Jewish nation but as members of our own family.
Evaluating forces us to consider the gift of every moment we have.
We should remember not only the difficult moments of life but also the blessings we too often take for granted.
Let us resolve to connect ourselves powerfully to Eretz Yisrael and Jerusalem.
The Omer period is the ultimate completion of the completion, the holiest of the holiest.
Birnbaum was unyielding, uncompromising, relentless, stubborn, steadfast and tenacious.
The challenge of death is to keep the person who has died alive in spirit.
“Who is wise? One who learns from each person” (Pirkei Avot 4:1)
the lots teach us that there are aspects of life that are based purely on mazal.
It may be suggested that a time frame of separation is mandated to heighten the physical encounter.
Many wonder what is the counterpoint for circumcision relative to women.
The ritual of kashrut may help us become more conscious of our responsibilities to live ethical lives.
The presence of a sacrifice in these covenantal experiences can be looked upon as a celebration of this glorious moment of meeting between God and his people.
Esther's name, which means “hidden,” reminds us that at the outset she hides her Jewish identity.
Pekudei is the Hebrew word for reckoning. One way of understanding the meaning of a word in the Torah is to analyze the first time it is found.
The Torah's greatest manifestation of human creativity is the building of the Mishkan, which required human mastery over every creation.
One of the most extraordinary images in the Torah appears in this week's portion. Moshe requests of God: "Show me your glory." God responds that He cannot be seen by any human being. But, God tells Moshe, "Stand in the cleft of the rock” and "you will see My back, but My face must not be seen" (Exodus 33: 17-23). What does this mean?
Even the judiciary has its limits, based on the principles set forth at Sinai by the Almighty.
Maimonides believes that even after the Roman conquest of Israel the land retained its holiness.
One can serve with his or her hands or feet, but how does one serve with one's heart?
The idea that those who are handicapped have a place in Judaism is fundamental to Torah.
Although the Torah often points out the infinite value of every human life, this week's parshah gives a clear message about the value of Jewish life. We are told that no one will be permitted to murder Jews with impunity.
I have long felt the holiest Jews are members of the IDF, the Israel Defense Forces. At countless rallies I’ve called out from the heart, “Blessed is the nation that has as its army the Israel Defense Forces.”
June 21, 2026 
