Parashat Ha Shavua Commentaries

Presidents’ Day evokes thoughts not only about our current and past Presidents, but also about our ties to the United States itself. We do that also, of course, on Independence Day, but the celebrations on that day are totally upbeat, and maybe rightly so: after all, we are then marking the birth of our nation, and birthdays are a time for celebration, not an evaluation of the life of the person or nation whose birthday is being commemorated. Read more...

There’s a terrific story for Tu Bishvat: An older man is planting saplings when he’s encountered by an important individual who asks him why he is planting. Will he live to see the literal fruits of his labors? The reply: “If I’m worthy, I will eat, and if not, my children will.” Read more...

It is well known that on the night before he was assassinated, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. seemed to prophecy his own death. “I might not get there with you,”  he said to the crowd of striking sanitation workers, and supporters, and ministers that came to see him. He was talking about the Promised Land. He was talking about freedom and equality. King was talking about justice. He did not get there with them, with us. Read more...

According to US News, 80% of people give up on their New Year’s resolutions by the second week of February. According to OnePoll it takes the average person 32 days or less to break their resolution. Spoiler alert: This custom of “New Year’s resolutions” to lose weight, exercise more, save money, or eat better is highly likely to fail. You are not at fault. The truth is, keeping our resolutions, changing our behavior, creating new habits is really hard. We need support, progress trackers, realistic goals, and constant reminders. Read more...

Each December, the blood pressure of the Jews of America rises.  Once a year, we feel like outsiders in our own country – bombarded by songs announcing the birth of the “king of Israel,” watching the seasonal eruption of good cheer and kindness (soon forgotten in the drunkenness of New Years,) returning home to unlit, treeless houses amidst the stirring color, smells, and lights of Christmas. December can be a depressing time to be Jewish.  Read more...