Mining The Riches Of The Parsha

This morning we discuss a fascinating, largely unknown story about Foreign Secretary Golda Meir doing something in 1956, that is central to modern (and traditional) Israeli and Jewish values, and which continues even today. This is from an interview of Daniel Gordis with Aviva Klompas, author of "Stand-Up Nation: Israeli Resilience in the Wake of Disaster." Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of A...

This morning we discuss the characteristics that make a great lay leader or community member, based on an address by the Rav, Rabbi Yosef Soloveitchik, in 1979. The Rav identifies three critical traits, which we derive from the first Jewish lay leader, Yosef. We add insights from Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Bender and Sivan Rahav Meir. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead...

This morning I share the speech given by our daughter and son-in-law (with their permission) at the Bris last week of their son, our grandson, Yishai Hersh. Beyond the deep personal emotion I felt, these words have eloquence and wisdom from which every one of us can benefit. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill Universit...

This morning we investigate the rise and fall of the Honeycrisp apple, and learn lessons each of us can apply to our lives. If you find another fragrant, wonderful apple variety, please let me know. If you want my famous, best ever applesauce recipe, send me an email (rabbi@adath.ca). Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill...

This morning we discuss a narrative back in Parshat VaYeitzei to explain how Yaakov convinced his wives to move back to Israel - not just because God said so, according to Rabbi Yishaya HaLevi Horowitz (Shaloh HaKadosh). From here we learn how a person should, and should not speak to others in their home. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunc...

This evening we discuss the prayer Ashrei which is our best, thrice-daily preparation for meaningful prayer. We demonstrate that the Ashrei prayer anticipates every major question about prayer, and provides the answer. Ashrei makes prayer possible. We examine both the structure and content of this prayer to explain why it is the necessary prerequisite to prepare ourselves for meaningful prayer. Mi...

This morning I share part of an interview by Daniel Gordis with Dr. Naama Halevi Davidov about "Assure for the Child" - an Israeli non-profit that provides for the long-term needs of the forty children left without either parent after the October 7 massacre. We learn about an incredible network of people in Israel (and elsewhere) taking creative measure to help more people better. "The way to beat...

This morning we discuss what dramatic event lifts Yaakov to the level of a Patriarch, together with Avraham and Yitzchak. We pinpoint an answer, based on Rabbi Jonathan Sacks and Rabbi Norman Lamm, that speaks not only to Yaakov's central role throughout Jewish history, but specifically at this moment, what Yaakov give us is what we need most. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregat...

This morning we review one of the most poignant rabbinic lessons about our matriarch, Rachel, with a surprising, dramatic new ending suggested by Rabbi Shalom Schwadron. God's words to Rachel speak to us directly today, with the same certainty as they did 2500 years ago. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill University Fa...

This morning I share a wonderful lecture I heard ten years ago in Jerusalem from Ruth Yair Nussbaum. She discussed the insight of Rabbi Kalman Shapiro into the concluding words of the prayer "Yishtabach" which we say every morning. Then she tells a moving story about Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach composing his famous song, L'Ma'an Achai V'Rayoi, which has become ubiquitous throughout the Jewish world. Mi...

This morning we discuss the blessing Yitzchak gives his son (thinking it is Eisav, actually Yaakov). Rabbi Yaakov Neuberger suggests that the blessing is in two parts, and both parts are necessary, including when we bless our children and grandchildren. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill University Faculty of Law. ADAT...

This morning I share the second part part of Daniel Gordis' disturbing but critically important interview with Ohad Merlin (see Part 1 here: https://youtu.be/op8qW-FCrFE?feature=shared). Merlin explains the consequences of Hamas' war being a religious war and not over territory. And we also explore Hama's terrifying plan on October 7 - what did they want to achieve? We end with a critical point, t...

This morning I share part of Daniel Gordis' disturbing but critically important interview with Ohad Merlin. Ohad is just the expert to explain what Hamas was thinking when it attacked on October 7. What was their motivation? How did they frame it to themselves and Gazans? We have learned through hard experience it is vital we understand our enemies in order to effectively triumph over them. Michae...

This morning we remember Rabbi Jonathan sacks, Z"L, on his Yartzeit (20 Cheshvan) by sharing a remarkable story he told about Stephen Carter, now a professor at Yale University Law School. I had the privilege and pleasure of knowing Stephen and working with him during my years teaching at Yale. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor...

This evening we discuss the connection between a Jewish wedding ceremony and the transaction between Avraham and Efron in our Torah portion, Chayei Sarah, while dispelling a widespread misunderstanding about marriage in Jewish law. We discuss the plague of divorce shortly after marriage that is on the rise in parts of the orthodox Jewish world. And we draw the close connection between death, lonel...

This morning we explore how Rabbi Yosef Rimon addressed a question from an Israeli soldier about prayer. We see Rabbi Rimon's extensive expertise in Jewish law, plus his extraordinary sensitivity and spirituality, in a way that should inspire all of us. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill University Faculty of Law. ADAT...

This morning we discuss the many lessons we learn from Lavan, quite an unsavory character we meet in our Torah portion, Chayei Sarah. Curiously, his actions and words are the source of many of our practices at every Jewish wedding today. Even his blessing to his sister, Rivkah, many quote to every Jewish bride. Plus I add an insight to this blessing from my ancestor, Rabbi Yosef of Slutzk (the Slu...

This morning we discuss on what basis to choose a spouse as we encounter the one passage in the Torah which explicitly lists what this criteria is, from which we should all learn. We quote from an article by Neely Steinberg, "Marry the Person Who Will Help You to the Bathroom" and share a remarkable story about red shoes. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Queb...

This morning we pay tribute to Dr. Judith Leff, who recently passed away. Every person who keeps Kosher must be grateful for her trailblazing work, even if they don't know her name. I am also grateful for the kindness and hospitality she and her family showed me over 45 years ago. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill Uni...

This morning we discuss a new essay written for Times of Israel, with great insight and eloquence, by Rachel Goldberg-Polin. We focus on three pivotal points she makes as only she can, to help every one of us interact with sensitivity and helpfulness with one who has or is suffering a crisis or catastrophe. Thank you, Rachel, for giving us these insights to improve our ability to show kindness, ev...

This evening we contrast the hospitality of Avraham with the hospitality of Lot, and explain why we emulate the former and not the latter, with a story from Gerlitz Foods in Geulah when I was living there, and a remarkable story from Sivan Rahav Meir expressing what it means to love helping others, not just doing it. We formulate a response to the current frightening wave of antisemitism around th...

This morning we contrast Noach and Avraham, who faced a similar challenge, and the difference in their response led to the difference in their legacies. We see this expressed by Richard Nixon, a Chabad emissary in Amsterdam, and an Israeli song which has gone viral, "We Are a Nation of Superheroes." Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct prof...

This morning we analyze the character of Lot, Avraham's nephew, through the Trup (musical notation that conveys the emotion of the Torah's words). We identify Lot as being filled with ambivalence about fitting in to his adopted home of Sodom. And we trace how this ambivalence does but should not manifest itself for us today. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Q...

This morning we trace two paths in commentary on Torah narratives: our great heroes are fallible and sometimes make mistakes, or they are consistently great, and what appears to us to be immoral must be interpreted differently. These two paths have always existed, and are in evidence in Jewish life today. I try to understand Torah following both of these paths. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi...

This morning we investigate the Mitzvah of offering hospitality to guests like Sarah and Avraham did. We explore its elements of kindness and sensitivity, and we trace two paths to understand the spiritual aspect of this Mitzvah, from Dr. Aviva Zornberg, and from Rabbi Isaiah Horowitz. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGil...