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The Promise of Security
May 1, 2013 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Behar | Behukkotai
Parashat Behukkotai opens with a dramatic quid pro quo.
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Uncertainty and the Omer
Apr 23, 2013 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Emor
As we journey through these days and weeks, we find ourselves in the midst of Sefirat Omer, the counting of the Omer (the sheaf of barley offering, a ritual that took place in Temple times).
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Embracing Life in the Face of Death
Apr 17, 2013 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Aharei Mot | Kedoshim | Yom Hazikaron-Yom Ha'atzma'ut
This past week, we commemorated State of Israel Memorial Day (Yom Hazikkaron) and State of Israel Independence Day (Yom Ha’atzma’ut). The juxtaposition of these two observances is jarring. Living in Israel, one feels how mourning permeates every moment of Yom Hazikkaron: from the piercing siren that sounds around the entire country at 8:00 p.m. to the mournful songs played on Israeli radio; from the Yizkor (memorial service) stickers with the Israeli plant known as dam hamakabim (the blood of the Maccabees) to the throngs of Israeli citizens flooding Mount Herzl Cemetery. At the close of this sobering day, transition ceremonies give way to the festivities of Yom Ha’azma’ut: fireworks decorate the night sky and festive barbeques fill the landscape of every square meter of Israeli parks.
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Land, Language, and Leprosy
Apr 10, 2013 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Metzora | Tazria
The second of this week’s parashiyot, Metzora, is an enigma on so many levels.
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Finding Atonement After Sin
Apr 3, 2013 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Shemini
Parashat Shemini opens with the initiation of the Tabernacle altar.
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The Secret of Shmurah Matzah
Mar 25, 2013 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Pesah
One of the centerpieces of seder night is the eating of matzah, the unleavened bread.
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Stoking the Perpetual Fire of Freedom
Mar 20, 2013 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Shabbat Hagadol | Tzav
As we approach the festival of Passover, the domestic excitement and drama increase. This anticipation is seamlessly reflected in Parashat Tzav.
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Bridging the Particular and the Universal
Mar 13, 2013 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Vayikra
With the opening of the book of Leviticus and its keen focus on sacrifices this coming Shabbat, many laypeople and clergy alike begin an exegetical struggle for connection and relevance.
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Of Leadership and Investment: A People Engage
Mar 6, 2013 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Pekudei | Vayak-hel
Parashat Vayak-hel-Pekudei continues the building of the Tabernacle—detailing the materials, craftsmanship, appurtenances, and its completion.
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The Art of Torah
Feb 27, 2013 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Ki Tissa
Too often, the arts are underappreciated in the Jewish community.
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Clothing Ourselves in Sanctity
Feb 20, 2013 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Tetzavveh | Purim
Clothing offers keen insight in two complementary directions. First, the garments one wears reveals one’s personality.
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The Curious Case of the Slave Who Refuses Freedom
Feb 5, 2013 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Mishpatim
Coming on the heels of the Revelation at Sinai, Parashat Mishpatim opens with laws concerning slaves.
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Decimation and Affirmation: A Tale of Two Non-Israelites
Jan 30, 2013 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Beshallah
The opening of this week’s Torah reading, Parashat Yitro, stands in stark contrast to the conclusion of last week’s parashah, Beshallah.
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Fear to Fortitude
Jan 23, 2013 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Beshallah
As the Israelites march toward the Reed Sea, Pharaoh has a notorious change of heart.
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Redemption in Place and Time
Jan 16, 2013 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Bo
In his very first comment on Torah, Rashi, the prolific medieval commentator, made this week’s parashah famous for exegetic eternity.
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From Teaching to Tikkun (Repair)
Jan 13, 2013 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Terumah
From the details of law to the minutiae of a building plan, Parashat Terumah moves us into the inner sanctum of the Tabernacle.
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From Slaves of Pharaoh to Servants of God
Jan 8, 2013 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Va'era
The opening of Parashat Va’era shows God reiterating the ancestral promise of redemption to a still reluctant Moses.
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Morality and Memory
Dec 31, 2012 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Shemot
As we welcome this coming Shabbat, we turn to the second of the Five Books of Moses, Exodus.
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From Pain to Peace
Dec 20, 2012 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Vayehi
The response of Joseph’s brothers in the aftermath of Jacob’s death is dramatic: “When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, ‘What if Joseph still bears a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrong we did him!’” (Gen. 50:15).
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Seeing the Big Picture of Joseph’s Life
Dec 19, 2012 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Vayiggash
Over the past few weeks, we have been immersed in the story of Joseph, from the fateful gift of the striped robe, to his sale to the Ishmaelites and Midianites, to his imprisonment in Egypt, his meteoric rise, and finally the family reunion.
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