Many of the world religions share a great deal: a sense of wonder and marvel at the simple fact of existence, the miracle of creation and of life, the mystery of human consciousness, the intrusion of the sacred into the profane, the love of our fellow human beings and the pursuit of peace and of justice. Like other faiths, Judaism also cultivates an awareness of these laudable qualities. Just as many of the world’s religions trace their discovery of these traits to the example of a founder, so Judaism sees many of its highest values embodied in Moshe Rabbenu, our teacher Moses. Read more...

  May I have a word with you? The opening words of the fifth book of the Torah begin simply enough, "These are the words that Moses spoke (diber) to all Israel."   The Rabbis of the ancient Midrash Sifre Devarim note that every place the Tanach uses the verb 'daber'  indicates harshness or rebuke, whereas the Hebrew word 'amar' conveys a sense of praise.    Read more...

May I have a word with you? The opening words of the fifth book of the Torah begin simply enough, "These are the words that Moses spoke (diber) to all Israel."   The Rabbis of the ancient Midrash Sifre Devarim note that every place the Tanach uses the verb 'daber'  indicates harshness or rebuke, whereas the Hebrew word 'amar' conveys a sense of praise.   Read more...