Shabbat Yitro: Jethro in 13

The most important feature of this week is arguably Judaism’s greatest contribution to the world, the so-called, Ten Commandments. Read more

Do not trust princes

I was born during the Second World War when it seemed that Hitler was going to conquer the world. Of course, had he, I would not be here today. Read more

This week’s parsha: Beshalach – Ups and downs

Life has its ups and downs. Just look at this week’s Torah reading. Read more

Shabbat Bo: Blood on the door

We are all familiar with the Mezuzah, that we place on the right doorpost of our houses and offices. Read more

Another scandal

Why does every religion seem to have a problem with sex criminal clergy sheltering under its protection? Read more

Shabbat Vaeyra: Negotiations

Moses and Aaron engaged in protracted negotiations with Pharaoh. Was it really necessary? Read more

Why religion?

Whenever I hear people talk, or I see articles about religion in general and Judaism in particular, I feel disconnected. Read more

Shabbat Shemot: Women

The Book of Exodus starts with the enslavement of the Israelites. Read more

Tainted Money

An Oxford University Professor, Lawrence Goldman, together with Sir Lloyd Dorfman and other influential alumni, have suggested the British government should intervene because they believe that Oxford University has lost its moral compass in accepting money from tainted sources. Read more

Shabbat Vayehi: Predictions

The twelve tribes have now come to live in Egypt under Josef’s protection. Read more

The case for King David

All major Biblical personalities are described as being imperfect beings. Read more

Shabbat Vayigash: Failed priests

When Pharaoh accepted Yosef’s interpretation of his dreams and his advice to Pharaoh on how to prepare for it, he was given the opportunity to prepare for the approaching catastrophe. Read more

Shabbat Mikeyts: Was Joseph Fair?

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Forced conversions

As we come to the end of Chanukah, apart from the heroics, there is another side to the Hasmoneans I  am not particularly proud of. Read more

Shabbat Vayeyshev: Favouritism

“And Israel loved Yosef more than his other sons because he (Yosef) was born in his (Yaakov’s) old age”( Genesis 37: 3). Read more

Why celebrate Chanukah?

For some, Chanukah is just a Jewish answer to Xmas. But why do we make such a fuss of it? Isn’t it just glorifying militarism? Read more

Shabbat Vayishlach: Bad Company

Jacob fled the corrosive atmosphere in Laban’s house. But secretly his beloved Rachel took with her, the teraphim, the household gods of her father. Read more

Discipline

We live at a time when discipline is regarded as a bad word and a destructive educational policy. Read more

Shabbat Vayeytzey : Angels

Angels figure prominently in Jacob’s life. As he runs away from Esau, he sleeps and dreams. He sees angels climb up and down a ladder. Read more

A man of substance

I love to get feedback. Even when it is critical. Given the range of human opinions that’s hardly surprising. But there is one criticism I feel the need to respond to. Read more

Can one love God?

The Torah talks a lot about love, love of God, love our neighbours, and love the stranger. Read more

Shabbat Toldot: A perfect marriage?

The marriage of Isaac and Rebecca appears on the surface to have been a perfect one. Read more

The lost world of American Jews

Irving Howe, in 1976, wrote the “World of Our Fathers.” It pays tribute to the American Jewish world of the nineteenth and twentieth century which was re-shaped by the massive immigration from Eastern Europe. Read more

Shabbat Hayey Sarah: Say what you mean

This week’s Torah reading has a subtle undercurrent of a theme. Never take what people say at face value! Read more

Shabbat Vayera: Not Lot

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The last Jew in Afghanistan

For several years now Zebulon Simantov, “The last Jew in Afghanistan,” has garnered sympathetic press attention. Read more

Shabbat Lech Lecha: No one is Perfect

Abraham is the first, full character study in the Torah. Read more

Shabbat Noach: The Curse of Canaan

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American culture

The debacle in Afghanistan has proved how difficult it is to change another country’s culture. Read more

Shabbat Bereishit

After the first chapter of Genesis describes the creation of the physical universe, the rest of the book goes on to deal with the often-ambivalent relationships with God and other human beings. Read more

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