Mining The Riches Of The Parsha

The Book of Ruth (which we read on Shavuot) was written by the prophet Samuel, according to Abarbanel, as a tribute to David, the young king Samuel anointed. Subtly, within that tribute, Shmuel includes a serious warning to David HaMelech and anyone who would assume Jewish leadership on the priorities a leader should have. This morning we discuss how Shmuel wove this warning into the story in a wa...

This morning we discuss the Hallel prayer (which we will say on Shavuot this coming Monday and Tuesday) which praises and gives thanks to God for the miracles God performs for us. We explore Rabbi Meilech Biderman's insight that included in the category of miracles are those things that appear to happen naturally which we often take for granted, and all the terrible things that do not happen to us...

In honour of Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Reunification Day) this morning we discuss the incredible archeological findings at Ir David (City of David, just east of Jerusalem's Old City) including the newest, spectacular finding, Pilgrims Road (also known a Stepped Street). Based on Daniel Gordis' interview with Doron Spielman, we learn not only what has been found but what it means for us today. Mi...

This morning we discuss the consequences of the Six Day War in 1967, which dramatically boosted the reputation of Israel's military prowess, the dream of Zionism, and Jewish pride and spirituality around the world. More complicated is what Israel did and is doing with the large amount of territory it conquered - a subject of much controversy. We focus on Yom Yerushalayim which we celebrate tomorro...

This morning we discuss the ending of our Torah portion and the Book of VaYikra, which doesn't appear to be an appropriate ending, as it discusses a Mitzvah, Erechin (valuation) which appears to have no connection to the last portion or to the Book as a whole. We explain the deeper meaning of this strange Mitzvah, and how it perfectly connects with the Torah reading and the entire book, expressed...

This evening we provide the essential background to the Story of Ruth from this week's Torah portion, BeHar. We examine the sin of oppressing another with words, and Rabbi Yehuda Amital's analysis of God's understanding of human nature. And we differentiate between discipline and neglect when it comes to parenting, ours and God's. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampst...

This morning we discuss the harsh Torah portion we will read this Shabbat (BeHar-BeCHukotai) with its dire warnings of what will happen to the Jewish People, much of which has been happening to us since October 7, 2023. We focus on the Haftorah, the reading from the prophet Jeremiah who, according to the Rav, Rabbi Yosef Soloveitchik, promises that any exile or destruction will be temporary. If fa...

This morning we trace extensive research going back almost 90 years which all leads to a single simple key to happiness. This is based on the work of Drs. Sonja Lyubomirsky, Robert Waldinger, George Valliant, and many others. This is something that everyone of us can do to improve out lives. I want you to be happy, I want to be happy, and God wants us to be happy - please try this! Michael Whitman...

This morning we examine two insights by two very different authors on prayer: Rabbi Dov Singer (author of "Prepare My Prayer" - which I recommend highly) suggests the incredible opportunity prayer offers us that we rarely get elsewhere. And Rabbi Meilech Biderman explains how prayer is like water. Both ideas taken together can invigorate and deepen our prayers and our praying. Michael Whitman is t...

This morning we discuss my visit with Professor Ben Mollov and his students in Bar Ilan University's course, "Jewish-Arab Interreligious Dialogue." I describe Dr. Mollov's 25 years of research into how to improve relations between Arabs and Jews, and the course he has been teaching for seven years demonstrating the success of his approach. He has now written "Approaches to Jewish-Arab Interreligio...

This morning I share my meaningful volunteering experiences during my recent trip to Israel, and the story I repeated to everyone I saw. The well-known phrase was very true for me, "I came to strengthen and inspire, and I left strengthened and inspired." Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill University Faculty of Law. ADA...

This morning I describe the fulfillment of my dream last week to teach law in Israel, as I was invited to teach a week-long course at Bar Ilan University Law School. I share how teaching law in Israel now, at this fraught time, is such a heightened experience, as students are living though and confronting in person many of the issues we discuss. I share my admiration for their intelligence, and wi...

This evening we discuss a crucial approach to educating our children from Rabbi Meilech Biderman. We share a moving message from Emily Damari on the meaning of Yom HaZikaron (Israel's Memorial Day), and another forceful and eloquent letter written by Emily to the Pulitzer Prize board. And we highlight the incredible work of Swords of Iron, founded by Yocheved Kim Ruttenberg, which provides informa...

This morning I share several scenes and impressions from my recent trip to Israel, both heartwarming and heartbreaking. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill University Faculty of Law. ADATH is a modern orthodox synagogue community in suburban Montreal, providing Judaism for the next generation. We take great pleasure in...

This morning we analyze a passage from an amazing work, Aish Kodesh (The Holy Fire) by Rabbi Kalonymos Shapira, the Rebbe of Piacezna. Teaching Torah in the midst of the horrors of the Holocaust, Shapira explains the meaning of suffering as a kind of sacrifice. This puts a different perspective on Yom HaZikaron, Memorial Day for Israeli Soldiers which starts this Wednesday night. We also add anoth...

This morning we investigate the spaces in a Torah scroll, and Rashi's explanation to give Moshe space to consider what God had just taught him. Today, many of us no longer have these spaces to consider and reflect, filling these moments with endless scrolling and posting. We conclude with a wonderful story about Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski that teaches that the beauty of our lives only comes through...

This morning we investigate the spaces in a Torah scroll, and Rashi's explanation to give Moshe space to consider what God had just taught him. Today, many of us no longer have these spaces to consider and reflect, filling these moments with endless scrolling and posting. We conclude with a wonderful story about Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski that teaches that the beauty of our lives only comes through...

This evening we explore four practical lessons for us to take from the Holocaust (and though Oct. 7, 2023, was not the Holocaust, all four of these lessons apply to every one of us today). We also trace the magnificent moment of high drama in our Torah portion, Shmini, which is very subtle, and requires unpacking to appreciate. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead...

This morning we explore what Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day, starting tonight and tomorrow) can mean for us today. We share an Israeli song, Al Nevakesh (Let Us Not Ask), which has assume new popularity and meaning today. And we share two stories, one from Rabbi Reuven Tradburks, and one about the great great grandchildren of two holocaust survivors. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of...

This morning we pay tribute to Pope Francis, who passed away yesterday, with an asterisk as we also outline his deeply problematic comments about the Gaza war since October 7, 2023. I share two specific lessons I learned from Pope Francis, which continue to inspire me. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill University Facu...

This morning we reflect on the logistical hoops we will go through this Shabbat which is the eve of Passover, and explore why we are not allowed to simply eat Matzah this Shabbat. R. Aharon Lichtenstein explains how this is an essential part of our service to God in all areas, which mirrors God's treatment of us. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and a...

This morning we discuss the details of this coming weekend as Erev Pesach (the eve of Passover) falls this Shabbat. There are differences of opinion on many of these issues. Here I present my opinion and suggestion of how best to observe these details. I have also written a short essay outlining these details which you can find here: https://www.adath.ca/pdf_doc/ErevPesachShabbat5785.pdf Michael W...

This morning I share the message of our guest speaker at ADATH yesterday, Tovia Roness, a remarkable young man who served as a medic in the Givati Brigade in Gaza. He paid tribute to his commander, Major Eyal Shuminov, who fell in battle last April, 2024. The lessons he shared are relevant to every one of us, though they were dramatically relevant to Tovia and his fellow soldiers. We are reminded,...

This morning we analyze two lessons we learn from Korbanot (the sacrifices detailed in this week's Torah portion, VaYikra). One lesson concerns human nature and the other relates to salt. Then we finish the week and provide inspiration for Shabbat with a wonderful story about a unique wedding in Israel this week. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and a...

This morning we discuss three practical applications of the system of Korbanot (sacrifices). Even though these laws are not practically applicable today, there are myriad lessons we can learn from them. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill University Faculty of Law. ADATH is a modern orthodox synagogue community in subur...