Parasha

The Women’s Parsha Slam: Giving women a voice on Simchat Torah

Perhaps my favorite part of the Parsha Slam is knowing that beyond the event itself, women who never saw themselves as Torah teachers or public speakers take the mic and share.

Yehudis Schamroth at the First Annual Parsha Slam in Ramat Beit Shemesh.
Family members of released hostages hold a press conference at the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center - Ichilov, on October 14, 2025.

Parashat Bereshit: The Israeli hostages and the Haftorah

Illustrative image of Cain and Abel.

Parashat Bereshit: The lesson of Cain

 SCRIBES FINISH writing a Torah scroll.

Haftarat Ha’azinu: A song for our time


Parashat Ha’azinu: Between heaven and Earth

Between heaven and Earth lies a sheltering presence, a glimpse of eternity, and the promise of unity beneath the wings of the divine.

‘PORTAL,’ 120 x 160 cm, acrylic on canvas, 2025.

Parashat Nitzavim: Isaiah on 'hasbara'

If Israel raises its voice with confidence and persistence, its light will break through, its righteousness will be seen by the nations, and its glory acknowledged even by kings.

 SCRIBES FINISH writing a Torah scroll.

Parshat Re’eh: Being engaged to God

We, the Jewish people, will find the courage to move beyond engagement, to build our home with God in Jerusalem, and to begin a new chapter in our ancient story.

PREPARING TO break the glass during a wedding ceremony: It represents a leap of faith; only once the glass is shattered can the covenant be sealed, the writer posits.

Parashat Eikev: Service of the heart

Prayer is one of the foundations of Judaism. A hallmark of the eternal Jew is speaking with his creator...Is it reasonable that such a central mitzvah is not directly addressed in the Torah?

AT MOUNT SINAI, the Jewish people were metaphorically ‘married’ to God.

Parashat Va’ethanan: ‘This good mountain’

What is this “good mountain” Moses refers to, and what is “the Lebanon”?

An ilustrative image of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

Parashat Devarim: 'And from my students more than from all'

This dynamic of student inquiry and the teacher’s patient, honest response is essential for effective and meaningful learning – for both the teacher and the student.

An illustrative image of someone writing in a notebook.

Parshat Matot-Masei: Our stops along the way

Prayer can be an oasis along the way. Prayer can also parallel the journeys we take in life.

 Exodus - the splitting of the Red Sea.

Parashat Matot-Masei: The gravitas of gratitude

Moses, the father of the nation, paved a path for generations to come: Nothing justifies an act of ingratitude. Ingratitude is never warranted in any situation.

 An illustrative image of a note saying 'Today I Am Grateful.'

Parashat Pinchas: Every Jew is torn between hope and history

Moses does not stand alone on Nevo – we stand with him. Together, we gaze toward a future we build but may never fully enter. Together with him, many Jews look toward a land they may never cross.

 An illustrative image of a man in a robe on a mountaintop with the sun shining.

Parashat Pinchas: Zealotry: The impetus to do the right thing

The story of Pinchas reminds us that even someone who once acted boldly in zeal can also become a leader of peace and understanding.

 Phinehas slaying Zimri and Kozbi, Jeremias van Winghe (1578–1645).

Parashat Balak: Others’ privacy is sacrosanct

Compassionate eyes and a kind heart – yes. Probing eyes and a gossiping tongue – no.

 Balaam and the donkey