Mining The Riches Of The Parsha

This morning we analyze a passage in the Talmud (Brachot 17a), which gives us a roadmap to healing the divisiveness and strife among Jews after the Churban (destruction of the Temple) and today, based on the insights of Rabbi Avraham Kook. 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...

This morning we balance the heavy mood in Israel now with two stories of outstanding strength, heroism, and self-sacrifice. 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...

This morning I share two poems, one by Shelomi Chatuchah, and one by Yael Leibowitz, that are contradictory, complementary, or both. They both give us a deeper understanding of what God's words to Avraham, Lech Lecha (Go...), meant to him, and at the same time imagine God's words directed to every one of us today. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and...

This evening we discuss the meaning of Aliyah (Jews moving to Israel) which is more than a geographic reality, according to Chassam Sofer. We share a great story from Rabbi Paysach Krohn to explain why Avraham refused a reward from the King of Sodom. And we investigate how God's many promises to Avraham recharge us as we face the same challenges today. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH...

This morning we discuss the meal, bread and wine, which Malki-Zedek served Avraham as he bestowed a blessing on Avraham. According to Mish'b'tzei Shlomo, the foods are also a blessing, communicating our secret for flourishing eternally, in spite of all the vicissitudes of history we have and are experiencing. We demonstrate this with a powerful story from Eliyahu Libman, whose son, Eliyakam, was k...

This morning we analyze why God, Who is omniscient, must "descend" to see the Tower of Babel. Though this leaves room to misunderstand the text, we derive a powerful lesson relevant to every one of us, especially now. 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 com...

As we approach the Yartzeit of October 7, to be observed this Thursday on Shmini Atzeret, we analyze two recent revelations about one of the reasons Hamas attacked when they did, based on Hamas meeting notes, and the experience of former hostage, Sapir Cohen. We then present the practical, concrete steps we need to take to protect ourselves from this danger, based on an article by Rabbi Yitzchak B...

This morning we uncover the significance of the Magen Dovid (Star of David): who created it and why, why it is on the Israeli flag, and what is its surprising and dramatic connection to Sukkot, especially this year. This will change and hopefully deepen your experience of this Holiday! Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGil...

This morning we analyze a well-known song we sing on Sukkot. Based on Rabbi Yehuda Amital, and a story from Rabbi Matisyahu Salomon, we describe how a Sukka is stronger than a house, how the moon is stronger than the sun, and how Israel is stronger than any challenge we face. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill Universi...

This morning we analyze an insight of Rabbi JJ Schacter that Sukkot is a place, at which the Jewish People first had a chance to catch their breath and reflect on the exodus that just happened. This did not happen at the end, but in the middle, with crisis and catastrophes to come. Never before have we needed Sukkot for this purpose as much as this year, to sit in our Sukkah and reflect on what ha...

Tonight's Mining the Riches of the Parsha is a special presentation by Corrie Sirota and Rabbi Whitman. Corrie is a bereavement specialist, psychotherapist, and the Clinical Director of Myra's Kids Foundation. Corrie discusses navigating grief and loss, with practical and helpful strategies. Rabbi Whitman adds how Jewish practices and rituals, such as Yizkor, Shiva, and Kaddish, reinforce these he...

This morning we investigate the ancient, mysterious, controversial, and often misunderstood custom of Kapporos - which for some includes swinging a chicken on the eve of Yom Kippur. We trace its history, the objections to it, more "palatable" alternatives, and its correct meaning. And we include a remarkable story from Rabbi Yechiel Spero that powerfully speaks to us in this moment. Michael Whitma...

Amid all the brokenness that started on October 7, 2023 and continues (and in some ways intensifies) even today, this morning we focus on that terrifying day, and listen to the memories of survivors who thought they would not survive. May the memories of those murdered a year ago bless us and strengthen us, and may we be worthy of their sacrifice. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congr...

This morning I share a story from Sarah Zeldman, that exquisitely captures how we come before God this Rosh Hashana, and hopefully, God's response. As this Jewish year, 5784, comes to a close, I am filled with gratitude to everyone of you who listens, comments, asks, disagrees, encourages, and allows us to search for insight, inspiration, and God - together. Shana Tova! Michael Whitman is the seni...

This morning we examine Hattorat Nedorim the legal ceremony of annulling vows, which traditionally takes place the morning before Rosh Hashana, this year Wednesday, October 2, after the morning service of Shacharit. We explore how this works in Jewish law, the details of the ceremony we perform this Wednesday, and why this is so important to do just at the High Holidays begin. Michael Whitman is t...

This morning I share an incredible story about the great violinist, Yitzchak Perlman, which precisely expresses with what we should be feeling now, as we approach the New Year in light of October 7, 2023, and every day since, and who we should be becoming. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill University Faculty of Law. A...

This evening we tackle to overwhelming question - how will we face the High Holidays this year in light of what happened on October 7, and every day since. We outline two contradictory approaches - from Rabbi Avraham Stav and Rabbi Yosef Rimon - and try to integrate them into one complex guideline with an internal and an external layer. These are my thoughts now, subject to change as circumstances...

This morning we discuss the importance and details of appreciating each day of Yom Tov and not using it to prepare for another day. This is the premise of Eruv Tavshilin, which allows us to cook on Friday which is Yom Tov, for Shabbat the next day (and this occurs three times in the next few weeks). We explain why and how this works. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Ham...

This morning we explore the historical background to the narrative of Chanah coming to Shiloh to pray for a child (Haftora for Rosh Hashana I). Based on an incredible insight from Rabbi Beryl Wein, we understand how to look at every person imposing on us and asking us for something, and realize they may be coming to save us. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Q...

This morning we discuss the last two of the 613 commandments, in our Torah portion, Nitzavim-VaYeilech, based on an insight from Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. The message of these two Mitzvot is precisely the message of the High Holidays. We then provide a strategy from an unlikely source, Disney, to exponentially increase the success of transmitting these messages, partially based on an essay from Rabbi...

This morning we discuss the highly-organized structure of Rosh Hashana prayers: three themes, each with 10 verses to express and describe. We investigate the one verse that does not fit into this scheme: Shma Yisroel, and we explain how this verse, while not mentioning God's sovereignty, is actually the deepest essence of it. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead,...

This morning we discuss the curious choice of Torah reading for the first day of Rosh Hashana, the narrative of Yishmael being sent away from Avraham's home. Based on a fascinating Medrash explained by Rabbi JJ Schacter, we highlight the primary theme of the entire High Holiday season, and derive a critical lesson that is, unfortunately, relevant to almost every family. Michael Whitman is the seni...

This morning we consider the emotional impact of tomorrow's Torah reading, whose dire prophecies are happening to us now and since October 7. I share the story told by Rabbi Shlomo Riskin when, as a young man, he attended the small shul of the Klausenberger Rebbe, Rabbi Yekusiel Halberstam, leading a congregation of Holocaust survivors, and the dramatic way the Rebbe turned the litany of tragedy,...

This evening we discuss how one can observe God's laws and still forget God - from Rabbi Norman Lamm. We learn the significance and importance of Hagbah - lifting the Torah in shul, and how to do it right. Then we explore a deep insight into an unbelievable verse, based on Dr. Aviva Zornberg, and demonstrated with a wonderful story from Rabbi Meilech Biderman. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi o...

This morning we discuss the blessing of being the head and not the tail, and we describe, based on Rabbi Yisroel Salanter, how a leader can be a head and a tail, but a proper leader should be a head and not a tail. This is not a comment in relation to any candidate anywhere (which I do not discuss publicly), but the issue of proper Torah leadership. My title is borrowed from a great movie, again w...