During the three weeks between 17 Tammuz and Tisha b’Av, as we recall the destruction of the Temples, we read three of the most searing passages in the prophetic literature, the first two from the opening of the book of Jeremiah, the third, next week, from the first chapter of Isaiah. At perhaps no other time of the year are…
Etre ailleurs, “To be elsewhere – the great vice of this race, its great and secret virtue, the great vocation of this people.” So wrote the French poet and essayist Charles Peguy (1873-1914), a philosemite in an age of Anti-Semitism. He continued: “Any crossing for them means the crossing of the desert. The most comfortable houses, the best built from…
The Israelites are almost within sight of the promised land. They have waged a victorious campaign against the Midianites. We feel the tempo quicken. No longer are the Israelites in the desert. They are moving inexorably toward the Jordan, to the west of which lies their destination: the land ‘flowing with milk and honey’. The members of the tribes of…
This week’s parsha opens with an account of the laws of vows and oaths. What is it doing here near the end of the book of Numbers, as the Israelites approach the destination of their journey to the promised land? Vows and oaths are obligations created by words. They are commitments to do something or refrain from doing something. A…
…being what only we are, we contribute to humanity what only we can give. PINCHAS: If we truly wish to hand on our legacy to our children, we must teach them to love it. MATOT-MASEI: Life is a journey, not a destination. We should constantly set ourselves new challenges that take us out of our comfort zone. Life is growth….
…that one of the greatest blessings of my life.” Rabbi Sacks also offered this longer reflection on the impact of Rabbi Rabinovitch: https://youtu.be/zuwiq8Ocr2g Here we highlight three of Rabbi Sacks’ Covenant & Conversation essays that were inspired by Rabbi Nachum Rabinovitch: The Courage to Live with Uncertainty (Noach) The Heroism of Tamar (Vayeshev) My Teacher: In Memoriam (Matot – Masei)…
…books in all of literature about what Nelson Mandela called “the long walk to freedom.” Bamidbar Naso Beha’alotecha Shelach Lecha Korach Chukat Balak Pinchas Matot Masei Devarim (Deuteronomy) With the book of Deuteronomy, Devarim, the entire biblical project becomes lucid and reaches its culmination. Deuteronomy is the last act of the Jewish people’s drama before becoming a nation in its…
…trust. Leaders are people who put the interests of the group above those of any subsection of the group. They care for, and inspire others to care for, the common good. Matot: Conflict Resolution Great leaders are great not just because they care for their own people – everyone except a self-hater does that – but because they care for…
A Weekly Reading of the Jewish Bible I Believe is a personal and intimate demonstration of how Rabbi Sacks came to see the world through listening attentively to the Torah and its message for the present and all times. This is the latest book in the Covenant & Conversation series of themed books, written by Rabbi Sacks on the weekly Torah portion. The…
…- Matot-Masei -The Imperative of Education – Dr Tanya White The course has been generously sponsored, and is therefore free to all participants. Sessions must be booked in advance for those who wish to attend. Once you complete your booking, you will receive a link to attend online. If you cannot attend the live session, look out for the recording of…