Gd brought Israel out of Egypt to lead them to freedom. He also brought them out to serve Him. Are they free or are they the servants of Gd? Or are they both? Fifty days after leaving Egypt, as Israel receives Torah at Sinai, the shofars are sounded, signifying that this is indeed a Jubilee redemption for Israel. Read More »

When Gd parted the waters of the Sea of Reeds He also parted for Israel the curtains of illusion allowing them to see the true reality – a timeless moment of recognition of the Divine light surrounding and permeating our world. Read More »

Plague after devastating plague, Gd wreaks unspeakable havoc upon Egypt, leaving no stone unturned as He shows Pharaoh who’s the boss. Read More »

Gd will not be denied. He will redeem His people and His voice will be heard, even in the cacophony of the frogs croaking from inside the bellies of Pharaoh and his crew. Va’era (Exodus 6: 2-9: 35) Parashat Va’era is read on Shabbat: Tevet 26, 5772/January 21, 2012 Visit us: http://www.templeinstitute.org Become a fan on facebook: tinyurl. Read More »

Pharaoh employed sundry stratagems to uproot and destroy the children of Israel, chillingly reminiscent of recent and contemporary programs to annihilate Israel. Yet, despite it all, Israel abides. Read More »

When Yaakov asks of Yosef “Who are these?” it is not because his eyes are dim or that he does not know Yosef’s sons intimately. It is because in his prophetic mind’s eye he see the boys’ greatness in the future redemption of Israel, which is taking place today. His words are not a question but an exclamation of sublime joy and approval. Read More »

His brothers were in shock when Yosef said “I am Yosef,” thereby removing from their eyes the blinders preventing them from seeing Gd’s presence in every moment and in every action. So startled were they that they could not respond, they could not comprehend. Their souls left them. Read More »

How strong is the bond between a parent and a child? A father and a son? Ya’akov could not be comforted by Yosef’s loss. Read More »

The high drama of parashat Vayeshev comes to teach us two things, which are really only one: We must be ever ready to take upon ourselves the task that Gd has chosen for us, and our time on this earth is not for our own leisure, but to realize the role that Gd has intended for us. Read More »

Yaakov avinu’s (our forefather Jacob’s) midnight encounter with a mysterious angel: Who was this angel, what was his purpose, and by what name was he known? Yaakov overcomes the angel, and by doing so gains insight into all these questions. Read More »

Avraham saw his appointed meeting place with Gd as a distant and foreboding mountain, (Mount Moriah), and Yitzchak envisioned the Holy Temple to be a field, accessible and alive. But it was Yaakov who understood the Holy Temple to be a home, a nurturing, loving center in which Gd and all mankind can embrace. Read More »

The classic tale of deception and intrigue. But who is deceiving who? and who is really being fooled? Ya’akov dons precious garments and goat skins, but by doing so is he deceiving his father Yitzchak, or is he opening Yitzchak’s eyes for the first Read More »

Why was Avraham avinu interceding on behalf of the wicked people of the decadent city of Sodom? Was he your typical bleeding-heart liberal who can’t distinguish between right and wrong? On the contrary, Avraham was showing his faith to the one true Gd and to the role that Gd granted him as guarantor of humanity. Read More »

“Always the bride’s maid,” the quiet month of Mar Cheshvan will yet have its day in the sun. Our sages teach us that the dedication of the future Holy Temple will be in the month of Mar Cheshvan, but for that to happen, we will need to roll up our sleeves and get serious about making it happen! Visit us: http://www.templeinstitute. Read More »

Avraham Avinu bursts upon the scene of world history, fighting for Gd’s name. Self-titled kings band together to try to take Avraham out and to rid the world of Gd once and for all. But you cannot defeat the King of kings, and being allied to the one true Gd puts our father Avraham in the proverbial catbird seat. Read More »

Noach, the innovator, the preacher, the builder, the savior of mankind, was, indeed, a vast and complex personality. In both his strengths and his tragic foibles, he proved very much to be a figure recognizable in our day. Read More »

The holy Sukkahs that we build on our terraces and in our backyards each year are nothing more and nothing less than a temporary Holy Temple, filled with the light of the ein sof — the infinite light. Read More »

The holy Sukkahs that we build on our terraces and in our backyards each year are nothing more and nothing less than a temporary Holy Temple, filled with the light of the ein sof — the infinite light. Read More »

Yom Kippur is about making amends and cleaning up our personal acts. But even beyond that, Yom Kippur is about being there for one another and standing united as a people, bearing and sharing responsibility. Read More »

Moses — singing a song just for us that will never grow old and never let us grow deaf to the Torah of Gd. But not content to be a solo performer, Moses calls upon every one to sing their own song. What better way to put our own lives in harmony with Gd’s will and His discerning ear. Read More »