In this spoken word poem, explore how Abraham's parents might have felt as he went off from Haran to the Promised Land, in search of his future.
Category: Torah
COVID-Kavod CONNECTION: Healing the Social Isolation of a Viral Death
COVID-19 could kill us, but it shouldn’t also bring shame upon us or our infected loved ones. And it won’t. Unless we play into the growing stigma that is at once immoral and dangerous to our mental health. If we play into that stigma, then COVID-19 will do both: shame us unfairly while increasing the chances it might kill us.
Where Was Sarah During the Akeidah (the Binding of Isaac)?
Midrashic Monologue: Where was Sarah in the Akeidah (Torah), when Abraham almost sacrificed their son Isaac? We think she saved Isaac's life and the Jewish future.
Sacrifice My Son Isaac? What Was I Thinking?
Midrashic Monologue: Did you ever wonder what Abraham thought about in the years following his “almost-sacrifice” of his son Isaac? Based on Parashat Vayeira and the Akeidah, we imagine Abraham’s inner struggles.
Naming Naamah, Noach’s Wife (and the Other Torah Women Too)
Noah's wife is mentioned 5 times in Torah, but her name - Na'amah - is not. Hear the voices of other silenced women of Torah.
Did God Create a World Before This One? Spoken-Word Poetry on Genesis
Did God create a world before this one? Spoken-word poetry on Genesis.
Why Judaism cannot be anti-abortion
Why Judaism cannot be anti-abortion
Helping the Heart See What the Eyes Cannot Perceive
Think how much of life we miss when we cannot really see! Though our eyes may function quite well, our hearts and minds may impede their ability to find blessing in what is before them. This is precisely what happens to our patriarch Jacob.
Holding Torah During Kol Nidre
Brad Halpern of Congregation Or Ami, Calabasas, CA reflects on the meaning of holding Torah on Kol Nidre.
Is Torah True? Part 2
Is Torah true? It really depends on your definition of the word "true." I am not parsing words here. The truth of Torah truly depends on what we mean by truth.
Is Torah True? Part 1
Is Torah True? Is there a difference between scientific truth and religious truth? Does Torah offer us answers to the how or the why of creation?
Heal from this Election Cycle… Be Chesed
Be Chesed. In the midst of this election, choose unlimited overflowing love as your response. My Rosh Hashanah sermon
Why did we have to stand up so long? (Torah Portion Nitzavim)
Torah commentary on Nitzavim: Why did the people have to stand up so long?
A Sanctuary of Kindness, Your Second Home
The clergy of Congregation Or Ami (Calabasas) share their vision of the synagogue as a sanctuary of kindness, your second home.
A Vow to Keep Learning
Sitting in my mentor's study, I soak up his wisdom. Rabbi Stan Davids seems to know so much about so many things and I wonder how that was possible.