Shabbat Table Talk

Pass the Salt

There is a Talmudic tradition that states that G-d interacts with the world through the method of “Middah Knegged Middah,” or “Measure for Measure.” When we demonstrate kindness, then in the future kindness comes our way. Conversely if we are unfriendly, then unfriendliness comes our…

The Inspiration for the Abraham Accords

As a practicing synagogue rabbi for over two decades at Congregation Sons of Israel, I had many occasions to interact and collaborate with other faith leaders in the South Jersey region. After studying Torah, Talmud, ethics, and history for over a decade, when discovering Christian love and …

Seeing the Beauty Through the Pane

We are all familiar with the phrase, “Seeing the glass half empty vs. half full.” Its origins have been traced to the Los Angeles Times in 1933. Yet, a careful reading of Parshat Noach shows that the concept is recorded thousands of years earlier. When G-d commands Noach to construct the…

Illuminating the Darkness

After five interviews you actually get the dream job offer. Now you head over to HR and inform them that for religious reasons you will need to take off for Shabbat and Jewish holidays. You prepare a calendar for the HR team members, who are befuddled when it says that in the winter you will…

Ecclesiastes and Chapter Eleven

People constantly strategize looking for a good investment – whether it is for a good financial investment (tough in our time), a good investment of time and energy, or a good social investment (i.e. whom to make an effort with and to try to connect with). I have heard it said by fine peop…