Deeper Look At The Parsha

Rabbi Dunner reflects on a difficult week of antisemitism in the US, and particularly in Beverly Hills, where a violent attack on a Jewish couple made international news. Citing a powerful message drawn from the story of Joseph by the late Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, Rabbi Dunner offers an important lesson for our times.

How are we to make sense of Pharaoh's dreams at the beginning of Parshat Mikeitz, and Joseph's dream interpretation - which earned him the coveted role of Viceroy of Egypt? Rabbi Dunner uncovers an unknown secret at the heart of Pharaoh's dreams which unlocks this entire episode at every level. A truly fascinating shiur!

Rabbi Dunner addresses the shocking spectacle of three Ivy League university presidents refusing to commit their institutions to a robust response if students on campus call for genocide against Jews. What does George Orwell's "Animal Farm" and the story of Joseph and his brothers have to teach us about this extraordinary moral failure?

In the saga that was Joseph's rollercoaster life, one moment sticks out as particularly startling - when his master's wife tries to seduce him, and later accuses him of rape. Rabbi Dunner explores this shocking episode, offering insights from classical commentaries, as well as ideas from some of the mussar giants. From every angle, and by every measure, Joseph's character emerges as exemplary.

Rabbi Dunner shares his soul-draining experiences after participating in a 2-day solidarity and fact-finding mission to Israel, visiting sites of the Hamas massacre, and meeting people directly affected by the savage events of October 7th.

What can Lavan teach us about how to deal with Qatar, the rogue state that funds Hamas and deceives the world by claiming it is an "honest broker"? As Rabbi Dunner explains, the lessons of Parshat Vayeitzei are as relevant today as they have always been.

In December 2002, Qatar hosted the FIFA World Cup - the world's largest sporting event, with millions of live spectators and billions of TV viewers. Although it was widely known that Qatar bribed and cheated its way to hosting this event, they somehow got away with it. But since the October 7th massacre which was funded by Qatar, things may finally have shifted. Rabbi Dunner urges the world to act...

The biblical patriarch, Jacob, married two sisters: his cousins, Rachel and Leah. He was only meant to marry Rachel, but was duped into marrying Leah - with deep and lasting repercussions. Rabbi Dunner examines this troubling narrative from Parshat Vayeitzei, and offers some enlightening insights.

What happens once the war in Gaza is over? The problems between Israel and the Palestinians will remain, and may well have deteriorated. Many on the international scene are once again pushing for a two-state solution. Rabbi Dunner dismisses this as premature. Instead, citing a 2014 study that is underscored by the sibling rivalry narrative in Toldot, Rabbi Dunner offers a tentative suggestion for...

What made the patriarch Abraham so special? Rabbi Dunner reveals that according to one rabbinic source, dealing with the death of his wife Sarah was Abraham's most challenging test, and he rose to that challenge with flying colors.

As the war with Hamas enters its second month, and Israel battles challenges on multiple fronts, Rabbi Dunner finds comfort in a puzzling Midrashic narrative about Rabbi Akiva, revealing how he dealt with his students when they began to doze off.

Rabbi Dunner reflects on his 36-hour trip to Israel in the middle of the war with Gaza, which was prompted by the horrific Hamas-perpetrated massacre on October 7th. Rabbi Dunner's visit followed the passing of 96-year-old Ernie Goldberger, a member of Beverly Hills Synagigue who survived the Holocaust and fought with the Palmach in the 1948 war for Israel's independence. What lessons can be drawn...

A shocking tweet prompts Rabbi Dunner to consider the irony of a world that continues to work closely with Qatar, and even praise Qatar, which is the world's most active and generous patron of terrorist organizations, including Hamas. Qatar's fingerprints are all over the October 7th massacre in Southern Israel. It's time for the world to wake up, and to act against Qatar and its leaders.

A second week has passed since the Hamas massacre of 1400 Jews in Southern Israel, and Rabbi Dunner reflects on the fact that the world having their eyes opened to the evil of Hamas has not made them see any better. And until they realize their vision is impaired, nothing will improve.

Why is the Jewish claim to the Land of Israel always being challenged? This is not a new question. In fact, as Rabbi Dunner shows, a robust defense of the Jewish claim to Eretz Yisrael is embedded right at the beginning of the most ancient text of Judaism: the Torah.

Some thoughts and reflections from Rabbi Dunner regarding the horrific terrorist invasion of Southern Israel by Hamas murderers on Shemini Atzeret. How is it that there are people who remain sympathetic to Hamas?

The message of Simchat Torah transcends the annual completion of the Torah portions reading cycle. It emphasizes the importance of joy even when faced with adversity. Rabbi Dunner reveals the underlying message of Simchat Torah, illustrated with a moving story from the Holocaust.

On Sukkot, we use four diverse plant species for a daily ritual - Etrog, Lulav, Hadassim and Aravot. What is the purpose of this daily ritual, and what is the significance of these 4 species? And why are they connected to "joy"? An amazing piece from the Nesivos Sholom offers a fabulous explanation that ties everything together.

How did Jewish communities obtain their Arba Minim before the era of globalization? Rabbi Dunner delves into the fascinating and occasionally jarring history of Arba Minim, and in particular the etrog - whose origins will take you by surprise.

"Who am I?" is the most important question for us to ask over Yom Kippur. But answering it accurately is not so easy. An article about two Canadian men who discovered their true identity late in life prompts Rabbi Dunner to consider the implications of delving beyond the superficial in order to discover to truth of who we really are.

Rabbi Dunner explores the vexed topic of allowing the use of musical instruments in shul during davening – is it appropriate to have live music to accompany tefillot? A rollercoaster ride, involving history, intrigue, rabbinic debate, religious evolution, and a wealth of information.

The late Charles Ticho was born in Brno in 1927. In a moving article published in 2020, he described his final Rosh Hashana in his place of birth. The year was 1939, and the Nazis had recently taken over the country. Ticho's moving account of this festival dovetails with a famous prayer that is the centerpiece of High Holidays' prayers.

Following a groundbreaking ruling in the New Jersey Appellate Court, Rabbi Dunner dwells on the topic of "agunot" - women caught in marital limbo by estranged husbands who refuse to give them a Get. An interesting reading of the first verses in Parshat Nitzavim reveals our collective responsibilty regarding this vexed issue.

Rabbi Dunner marks the 96th anniversary of the passing of Rabbi Yisrael Abba Citron (1881-1927) by recalling a remarkable exchange of correspondence that Rabbi Citron had with his father-in-law, Rabbi Yosef Rozin, better known by his moniker: "The Rogachover." How can one best define the Jewish connection to the Land of Israel? Rabbi Dunner explains.

There is a curious anomaly in Parshat Ki Tavo -- those who will adhere to God's Torah are promised to be "on the top," and also not "on the bottom." Why the repetition? Surely, if you're on top, then you won't be on the bottom! Rabbi Dunner cites an insightful interpretation by Rav Tzadok Hacohen of Lublin, which incidentally also provides a life hack for lottery winners.