JTS’s Eternal Light
Jun 11, 2005 By Ismar Schorsch | Commentary | Beha'alotekha
Forty-five years ago my marriage to my wife Sally coincided with the weekly Torah portion of Beha’alotekha, “When you (Aaron) mount the lamps, let the seven lamps give light at the front of the lampstand” (Numbers 8:2).
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Our Rendezvous with God
Jun 11, 2005 By Ismar Schorsch | Commentary | Naso
The completion of the Tabernacle in the wilderness, like the construction of the Temple by Solomon centuries later, restricts the locus of God’s presence to a single sacred space.
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Counting People
Jun 5, 2005 By Ismar Schorsch | Commentary | Bemidbar
The book of Numbers opens on a triumphant note.
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The Sabbatical Year
May 19, 2005 By Ismar Schorsch | Commentary | Behar
The DNA of Judaism is the number seven.
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Claiming Our Spiritual Freedom
May 14, 2005 By Ismar Schorsch | Commentary | Emor
The laws of the Torah are rooted in the exodus from Egypt.
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God As a Tragic Character
Apr 2, 2005 By Ismar Schorsch | Commentary | Shabbat Parah | Shemini
Ours is not the first generation to discover that we live in an imperfect world.
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The Power of the Mind Over Reality
Mar 25, 2005 By Ismar Schorsch | Commentary | Tzav
Judaism is a choir of many voices.
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A Kingdom of Priests
Feb 23, 2002 By Melissa Crespy | Commentary | Tetzavveh
Upon meeting non-Jews who are unfamiliar with what a rabbi is, I often tell them my role is somewhat akin to the role of a priest or a minister in the Christian tradition. But the truth is, there are significant differences between rabbis and priests. While rabbis often “officiate” at life cycle and worship ceremonies, Judaism does not require them to perform these rites. Whereas, in the Catholic church, priests are often the only ones who can perform life cycle and worship ceremonies, known as sacraments.
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