Tag: Jews
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Coming Close To God: A Reflection on Pesachim 98
A version of this piece was originally published as part of My Jewish Learning’s daf yomi page of the day Talmud project. On today’s daf, the Talmud is deep in the weeds of a continuing discussion about when, how and by whom the Passover sacrifice must be brought. What…
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Memory and Moving Forward: A Reflection on Purim 5781
A version of this piece was originally published by SVARA: A Traditionally Radical Yeshiva. Today, I remember. I remember vividly the all-consuming sadness I felt last Purim, as the sun was setting and my celebratory seudah was ending, the last event I attended with a large Jewish community. I…
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The Importance of Hallel on Passover A Reflection on Pesachim 95
This piece was originally published as part of My Jewish Learning’s Daf Yomi page of the day Talmud project. Today’s daf opens with a Mishnah. “MISHNA: What is the difference between the Paschal lamb offered on the first Pesaḥ and the Paschal lamb offered on the second Pesaḥ? On…
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Vayetze 5781 — The Humanity Of Our Ancestors
There’s something so richly rewarding about returning again and again to our foundational stories in sefer Bereshit year after year. As we learn in Perkei Avot, often translated imprecisely as ethics of our fathers, turn it turn it, for everything is in it. I approach Torah year after year with…
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The Plurality of Mourning Shabbat Nachamu 5780
This piece originally appeared on SVARA: A Traditionally Radical Yeshiva. Nachamu Nachamu ami, “comfort, comfort my people,”— the opening words of the Haftorah from the book of Isaiah, which we will read this Shabbat, ring particularly poignant this year. What does it mean for us to move from a period of…
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A Reflection For The Three Weeks 5780
With every passing year, the enduring wisdom and beauty of the Jewish calendar never ceases to surprise me and give me newfound insight. I’ve been thinking these past few weeks about the upcoming period of The Three Weeks, a period of collective mourning for the Jewish people which begins on…
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Tetzaveh 5779
This dvar Torah was delivered at Anshe Emet in Chicago. Parashat Tetzaveh, 11 Adar Rishon, 5779 Shabbat shalom! It is an honor and privilege to be with you this Shabbat. I wish to extend a sincere thanks to the Kehilah Kedoshah committee, as well as to the Anshe Emet clergy…
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Divrei HaTefillah: Baal Shem Tov, selection from section Peh Chet of Amud HaTefillah
This was written in 5777 and is intended for use as a kavvannah or meditation before Pesukei Dezimra, verses of praise, on a Shabbat or chag morning. Before we begin our davening this morning with Pesukei DeZimra or psalms of praise, I want to offer a brief kavannah or intention…
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Emor 5776
This commentary was written in May 2016, in the Jewish year 5776. Parashat Emor opens with a description of right priestly conduct. In Leviticus 21:17-23, we find a lengthy list of those Kohenim who have a mum—often translated as blemish which disqualifies them from sacrificial service. This list includes blind…
Rabbi Lauren Tuchman 