Deeper Look At The Parsha

Rabbi Dunner tackles the vexed issue of the so-called "grandchild-clause" in Israel's Law of Return. Charting the history of Jewish immigration into Eretz Yisrael, and citing an episode at the beginning of Parshat Vayechi, Rabbi Dunner explains why the clause must be rescinded as soon as possible.

A Shabbes in Williamsburg among Satmar chasidim inspires Rabbi Dunner to address the complex dynamic of sibling rivalry, a staple feature in the book of Bereishit, which crops up again at the beginning of Shemot. Citing the teachings of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks z"l, Rabbi Dunner reveals how the dramatic scene at the very end of Parshat Vayechi holds the key to it all.

Rabbi Dunner cites and unpacks a famous aphorism from the nineteenth-century German philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900), founder of existential philosophy. Nietzsche's understanding of the human condition dovetails with a unique explanation of the curious conversation between Jacob and Pharaoh in Parshat Vayigash.

Rabbi Dunner explores Sir Winston Churchill's little-known emotional side, and his uninhibited crying when confronted by the suffering of others. This extraordinary characteristic may very well be the reason why Churchill was such a successful leader. And it is this unknown but important leadership quality that can explain why Joseph was successful at interpreting Pharaoh's dreams when all the exp...

One of the enduring mysteries of Jewish history is what the Temple vessels looked like. Described in the Torah, they were lost after the destruction of the Temples, and have never been recovered. The tantalizing image of the menorah on the Arch of Titus in Rome has generated fierce debate - is it accurate or is it not accurate? Rabbi Dunner dives into this controversy, citing countless sources and...

Rabbi Dunner weighs in on the overwhelmingly negative international Jewish reaction to the political success of Israel's Itamar Ben Gvir, and the formation of the "most right-wing government in Israeli history." After chatting through the issues with Ben Gvir himself, Rabbi Dunner unpacks a puzzling Midrash that offers a message of guidance for Jewish supporters of Israel struggling with the polit...

Rashi interprets the word "vayeishev" to mean that Yaakov wanted to live out the remainder of his life in peace and tranquility. God's response was to put him through the difficult episode of Joseph's disappearance -- on the basis that tranquility for the righteous only occurs in the world to come. Rabbi Dunner shares an insightful Mikdash Halevi, and delves deeply into the story of Joseph's treat...

The scourge of antisemitism has reemerged with a vengeance. The recent outbursts by Kanye West seem to be the tip of the iceberg, indicating something much wider and much deeper. Rabbi Dunner addresses the recent surge, and offers a suggestion for those shocked by the dreadful reality of current antisemitism.

Before meeting up with Esau after a separation that had lasted many years, Jacob sends messengers with gifts to appease his brother. The messengers were instructed to convey the gifts with a specific script. Rabbi Dunner shares an array of interpretations drawn from his grandfather's sefer, Mikdash Halevi, offering a backdrop to these seemingly innocent communications.

Rabbi Dunner reflects on the life of his rabbinic mentor, Dayan Chanoch Ehrentreu (1932-2022), for over 50 years one of the leading rabbis in the UK and Europe, whose passing has left a difficult vacuum in London and well beyond. Sharing personal stories and observations, Rabbi Dunner pays tribute to a titan of the rabbinic world.

Rabbi Dunner delves into the golf handicap phenomenon, differentiated instruction as a system of education, and a controversial commentary on the differences between Esau and Jacob by Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch.

This week the FBI announced it was launching an investigation into the death of Shireen Abu Akleh, a Palestinian journalist killed in Jenin by a stray bullet from an IDF soldier's gun. Why is it that Israel comes under such scrutiny, and that no matter what happens elsewhere -- including the death and even murder of journalists -- nobody seems to care quite as much? Rabbi Dunner cites a stunning N...

Rabbi Dunner commemorates the second anniversary of the passing of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l. Initially citing the ideas of the world's first sociologist, Emile Durkheim, the atheist scion of a family of French rabbis, Rabbi Dunner uses Durkheim's ideas and Rabbi Sacks' powerful words to demonstrate the value of faith and faith communities, even in the modern world. A meaningful tribute to one...

The delegitimization of Israel is constant and unyielding. And yet, the facts speak for themselves: Israel was established via a U.N. resolution on the basis of the historic ties between the Jewish people and the Land of Israel. Rabbi Dunner goes back to the very origins of this close association between Jews and Israel, and counters the claim that the Jews are guilty of dispossession.

At the beginning of Lech Lecha, God instructs Abraham to leave his country, his birthplace, and his father's home. Rabbi Dunner shares a question generated by this instruction: who is still in their father's home at the age of 75?! Abraham was 75 years old, surely he was fully independent? The answer is both revealing and critical to understanding who Abraham was, and what God wanted from him.

Acts of kindness are hugely important for the functioning of society. Countless studies have proven that doing acts of kindness has an impact well beyond the individual acts themselves. Rabbi Dunner cites a wonderful Midrash that reveals a conversation between Abraham and Noah's son Shem, about the reason God allowed Noah's family to leave the ark. As it turns out, Noah's most outstanding quality...

Rabbi Dunner explores some interesting insights into the early part of Parshat Noach from his grandfather's sefer, Mikdash Halevi, including a remarkable interpretation of a curious Midrash regarding the attempt of "lies" to enter Noah's Ark.

Both the Book of Bereishit and Parshat Bereishit contain important lessons, many of them tucked away in quite obscure references. Rabbi Dunner turns to his grandfather's sefer, Mikdash Halevi, to explore why Sefer Bereishit is referred to as "Sefer Hayashar"; what the story of the double portion of manna on Fridays can tell us about Shabbat; and why Adam was asked to name all the animals immediate...

One of the most important events in modern history, the U.N. partition plan vote of November 1947, is often overlooked because subsequent events eclipsed it. But it remains incredibly important. The 75th anniversary is coming up and Rabbi Dunner reflects on this far-reaching moment, associating it with the very first commentary of Rashi on the Torah.

Jewish law prohibits imposing a celebration onto an already joyful time – a rule known as “ein me’arvin simcha besimcha”. And yet, Simchat Torah, when we dance with the Torah scrolls having completed the reading of the entire Torah, appears to have been imposed onto the festival of Shmini Atzeret. Rabbi Dunner explains why this is not the case, and how Simchat Torah is the perfect vehicle for joy...

It comes in many sizes and colors, and even the shape varies considerably. The etrog is undoubtedly one of the world's most remarkable fruits, whose only use is as one of the "four species" (arba minim) on Sukkot. Rabbi Dunner delves into the history of the etrog, and particularly into the modern controversy over hybridized etrogim. A modern scientific study offers a fascinating revelation that ti...

One of the most challenging stories in Tanach is the narrative contained in four short chapters of Sefer Yonah. Even more surprising is the fact that the entire Sefer Yonah is included in the mincha service on Yom Kippur, read as the Haftora at the conclusion of the Torah reading. Rabbi Dunner unpacks the narrative in exquisite detail, and explains why Yonah is the perfect companion for Yom Kippur...

As far as everyone is concerned, "the road to hell is paved with good intentions." That is the accepted wisdom, but as Rabbi Dunner reveals, scientific studies paint quite a different picture. And Judaism has a very different view of good intentions, the source for which is found in Parshat Nitzavim.

Parshat Nitzavim is always read on the Shabbat before Rosh Hashana. According to Rabbi Dunner's grandfather, the Mikdash Halevi, this is not random. The first few words contain an essential message for the start of the New Year, and important lessons for Yamim Noraim.

The Mishna in Bikkurim (3:8) discusses the different baskets that people used as containers for the first-fruit bikkurim offering that was brought to the priests in the Temple. Wealthy people used gold or silver containers, while poor people brought their bikkurim in simple woven baskets. Curiously, the gold and silver baskets were handed back, but the weave baskets were retained. Rabbi Dunner exp...