Torah Commentary

Building sacred spaces that are also safe places

By Rabbi Jill Levy This week’s Torah portion is Yitro, Exodus 18:1 - 20:23. Imagine preparing for one of the biggest events of your life —...

Wonder of wonders

By Rabbi James R. Michaels This week’s Torah portion is Beshalach, Exodus 13:17 - 17:16. A classic Jewish joke tells of parents who asked their child...

Don’t Stop Believing

By Rabbi David Levin This week’s Torah portion is Bo: Exodus 10:1 - 13:16. Have you ever felt your good work did not matter? Bo teaches...

Don’t forget about Aaron

By Rabbi Jeremy Markiz This week’s Torah portion is Va’era, Exodus 6:2-9:35. When we think about the heroes of the Torah, we could come up with...

A name is a relationship

By Rabbi Michael Werbow This week’s Torah portion is Shemot, Exodus 1:1-6:1. How many names do you have? In a midrash in Kohelet Rabba we learn...

The hidden blessing of Ephraim and Menashe

Rabbi Deborah Reichmann | Special to WJW This week’s Torah portion is Vayechi, Genesis 47:28-50:26. The end of the beginning. After taking us from Creation through...

The shamash is the hidden light within us

By Rabbi Corey Helfand This week’s Torah portion is Miketz, Genesis 41:1 - 44:17. I have always found it interesting that we light the Chanukah candles...

Was Joseph autistic?

By Rabbi Laurie Green This week’s Torah portion is Vayeshev: Genesis 37:1 - 40:23. Was Joseph autistic? It would certainly explain a lot about his personality...

From the Torah we learn that names can change

Rabbi Lizz Goldstein | Special to WJW This week’s Torah portion is Vayishlach, Genesis 32:4-36:43. This Shabbat marks Human Rights Day, and will kick off a...

Getting close to God

By Rabbi Dr. Sanford H. Shudnow This week’s Torah portion is Vayetze, Genesis 28:10 - 32:3. Nowhere do we find the God of immanence more than...