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Always Strive to Be Israel
Jul 4, 2014 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Balak
This week’s Torah reading, Parashat Balak, is primarily focused on the Moabite king’s efforts to curse the Israelites.
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Moses’s Misstep: Words Not Deeds
Jun 27, 2014 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Hukkat
With the loss of both Miriam and Aaron, Parashat Hukkat marks a liminal and tragic point in the Israelite wanderings toward the Land of Israel.
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Korah’s Fire Pans: Relics of Rebellion to Sacred Lessons
Jun 20, 2014 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Korah
Contentiousness, dissent, and upheaval mark the opening of Parashat Korah.
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Unity and Leadership
Jun 13, 2014 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Shelah Lekha
At the very beginning of this week’s parashah, Moses organizes a mission to scout out the land of Canaan.
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Balancing God’s Will and Our Own
Jun 6, 2014 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Beha'alotekha
Parashat Beha’alotekha gives us insight into the Israelite trek through the wilderness.
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The Blessing of Happiness
May 30, 2014 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Naso
One of the centerpieces of Parashat Naso is the Priestly Blessing.
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Finding Direction to Move Forward with God
May 23, 2014 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Bemidbar
This Shabbat opens the fourth book of Torah known as Sefer Bemidbar, the book of Numbers.
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Between Heaven and Earth
May 16, 2014 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Behukkotai
Fertility of humans and of the land is the essence of divine blessing.
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Shemitah, Freedom, and Covenant in the Face of Assimilation
May 9, 2014 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Behar
Parashat Behar opens with the commandment to observe the sabbatical cycle (for six years, one may plant crops and work the land and then, in the seventh year, the land must rest—what is known in halakhic terms as shenat shemitah, “the year of release”); shemitah or “release” is observed today in the Land of Israel.
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Pride, Power, and Corruption in the Name of God
May 2, 2014 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Emor
In the wake of religious fundamentalism that plagues our world today, why aren’t religious leaders vocal in their opposition to bloodshed and corruption in the name of God?
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The Kosher Golden Rule
Apr 25, 2014 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Kedoshim
Two great questions are often asked in our community: What is our obligation to our fellow Jews?
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The Meaning of the Shmurah Matzah
Apr 18, 2014 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Pesah
One of the centerpieces of seder night is the eating of matzah, the unleavened bread.
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Sacrifice and Humility
Apr 11, 2014 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Aharei Mot
The Torah reading opens with God speaking to Moses in the aftermath of the death of Aaron’s two sons, Nadav and Avihu, who “drew too close to the presence of the Lord” (Lev. 16:1). But most immediately, as is the case in the aftermath of any trauma, we want to learn how to avoid another tragic “accident.”
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Boundaries: Not Only Healthy, but Divine
Apr 3, 2014 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Metzora
Boundaries are the focal point of Parashat Metzora, and indeed they are the obsession of the book of Leviticus.
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Parashat Tazria and Circumcision
Mar 26, 2014 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Tazria
Parashat Tazria, at the heart of the book of Leviticus, presents a challenge of almost epic proportions in the search for modern, practical relevance.
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Silence and Loss
Mar 18, 2014 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Shemini
One of the most enigmatic and painful moments of all of Tanakh occurs in Parashat Shemini.
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The Fire Within
Mar 11, 2014 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Tzav
Parashat Tzav discusses the role of the priests in the Temple, and emphasizes the vigilance with which they were to offer sacrifices.
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The Power of Partnership and Positive Thinking
Feb 26, 2014 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Pekudei
The raising of the Tabernacle was a daunting task for the Israelites.
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Wisdom of the Heart
Feb 19, 2014 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Vayak-hel
In many ways, Parashat Vayak-hel repeats the instruction of previous parashiyot.
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Moses As Prophetic Psychologist
Feb 12, 2014 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Ki Tissa
The notorious centerpiece of Parashat Ki Tissa is the episode of the Golden Calf.
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