When I was a student at university in the late 1960s – the era of student protests, psychedelic drugs, and the Beatles meditating with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi – a story went the rounds. An American Jewish woman in her sixties travelled to north India to see a celebrated guru. There were huge crowds waiting to see the holy man,…
…live” (Devarim 30:19). The Core Idea There have been many times throughout Jewish history when Jews have been tempted by other religions and cultures. In parshat Nitzavim, Moshe forewarned us: Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. It is not in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will…
…primarily not because of their ability or potential, vayishavucha lefi ma’asecha. We treasure them because of their achievements. And today we recall a person who achieved so much in such an extraordinary manner. He was a great leader. At the beginning of parshat Nitzavim, which we shall read this coming Shabbat, the Torah presents to us four types of leaders:…
…to pass Jewish traditions on to your children and the next generation? Why? How do you answer the question ‘Why am I a Jew?’ Why Be Jewish in classic Jewish sources The renewal of the covenant at the end of Moshe’s life with future generations also Devarim 29:9-14 Rashi on Devarim 29:14 Akeidat Yitzchak (Rabbi Isaac Arama) on Parshat Nitzavim…
…(15 min Q&A video) Highlights from Rabbi Sacks’ “In Conversation with…” Prof. Ron Heifetz on Jewish Leadership (5 highlight videos) Leadership (A Covenant & Conversation video for the parshat Nitzavim-Vayelech) Message for Hillel Global Leaders Forum 2012 (17 min) Pacing Change (A Covenant & Conversation video for the parshat Pinchas) Rabbi Sacks on the 25th yahrtzeit of the Lubavitcher Rebbe…
…vayishavucha lefi ma’asecha. We treasure them because of their achievements. And today we recall a person who achieved so much in such an extraordinary manner. He was a great leader. At the beginning of parshat Nitzavim, which we shall read this coming Shabbat, the Torah presents to us four types of leaders: Rasheychem, Shivtaychem, Ziknaychem v’shotraychem. Your heads, your tribes,…
In the last days of his life Moses renews the covenant between God and Israel. The entire book of Devarim has been an account of the covenant – how it came about, what its terms and conditions are, why it is the core of Israel’s identity as an am kadosh, a holy people, and so on. Now comes the moment of…
The Talmud gives an ingenious reading to the line, “Moses commanded us a Torah, as a heritage of the congregation of Israel.” Noting that there are 613 commands, and that the numerical value of the word Torah is 611, it says that in fact Moses gave us 611 commands, while the other two – “I am the Lord your God,”…
The great transition is about to take place. Moses’ career as a leader is coming to an end. Joshua was leadership is about to begin. Moses blesses his successor. Then God does. Listen carefully to what they say, and to the subtle difference between. This is what Moses says: “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into…
At the end of his life, Moses gave the people the penultimate command – the 612th of the 613 that comprise the Torah. It was a command of far-reaching significance. The Israelites were about to cross the Jordan, and enter and take possession of the promised land. There they would begin life as a self-governing nation under the sovereignty of…