During World War II, Master Sergeant Morris Kravitz fought bravely in the North African campaign in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Sicily, and Italy. Before making his way to Rome for a much-needed leave, his soldiers asked for an unusual favor. Would their sergeant visit the Vatican and get rosary beads blessed
Torah portion Vayeitzei
Can God Create Another God? When someone challenges my religious or theological beliefs, I am prepared to engage in a discussion as long as the other party is respectful, honest, and open-minded. Unfortunately, many people who approach me with challenges don’t want an answer. Their dogmatic attitude echoes the
Torah portion Tzav
Since the destruction of the Second Temple, the book of Leviticus might appear irrelevant since we can no longer offer the animal sacrifices mentioned in this week’s Torah portion Tzav (Leviticus 6:1-8:16). Some argue that we are better off without this ‘barbaric” ritual, and others claim we
Torah portion Vayikra
“Social distancing” has become a rallying cry to minimize the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. This week’s Torah portion Vayikra (Leviticus 1:1- 5:26), begins with the statement “God called (vayikra – ויקרא) Moshe” to instruct the Jewish people to bring offerings. In these times of “distancing,” it is
Torah portion Yayahel-Pekudei
After a visit by a missionary, an elderly Jewish man started to question his faith. He invited his family to hear the missionary and asked me to present the Jewish point of view. I was able to refute the missionary’s proof-texts. However, the missionary became frustrated and said, “Rabbi,
Torah portion Ki Tisa
Along with friends and family, I am concerned about the spread of the potentially deadly Coronavirus. I don’t recall a time when Purim parties were canceled, and elbow bumps replaced handshaking. Our sages taught (Berachot 32b) that we are obligated to protect our health as it says, “take care
Torah portion Tetzaveh
We communicate in a variety of ways, including verbal, nonverbal, written, and visual. The FBI, for example, trains their agents to observe facial micro-expressions to determine emotions like fear and happiness. A polygraph can enhance human perception by measuring physiological indicators while a person answers a series of questions. DNA
Torah portion Mishpatim
The rise of anti-Semitism and anti-Israel demonstrations on college campuses are frightening and sometimes dangerous. I know this from personal experience because once when I had set up a Jewish information table on campus, a student started cursing me. His verbal attack turned anti-Semitic, and then he threw a punch
Genesis 45:21
Who Sent the Wagons to Jacob? In this week’s Torah portion, Vayigash (Genesis 44:18-47:27), we read of Joseph’s descent to Egypt and his rise to leadership, we read that during the famine wagons full of supplies were sent to Jacob in the land of Canaan. The
Torah portion Yayikra
This Shabbat Jews throughout the world Jews read the opening chapters of the book of Leviticus known as the Torah portion of Yayikra. These chapters discuss the commandment to bring both animal and grain sacrifices, for a variety of reasons, of which only one was for unintentional sins. We are
Purim and portion Tzav
I remember an encounter with a missionary who tried to share the gospel with me. It was 1972, and I was a student at the University of Texas in Austin. One of my friends turned out to be an evangelical Christian. I discovered this when he told me, “there is
Self-Control
In this Shabbat’s Torah portion of Shemini (Leviticus 9:1–11:47), God introduces the laws of Kosher and identifies which animals are permissible and forbidden for consumption. Land animals must have split hooves and chew their cud, and fish must have fins and scales. Insects, reptiles, amphibians, and
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