Mining The Riches Of The Parsha

This morning we follow up on our discussion from Monday, July 15, on the miracle of God opening the mouth of Bilaam's donkey. Today we focus on what the donkey said. We analyze an allegorical message of our rabbis, based on the writing of Bailey Newman and the poetry of Emily Dickenson. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGi...

This morning we uncover the unsavory character of Bilaam foreshadowed by his mistreatment of his donkey, and address why did God cause the donkey to speak to Bilaam. 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 t...

This morning I present Rabbi Yosef Rimon's clear outline of Jewish eschatology, specifically our certain belief in Techiat HaMeitim, the resurrection of the dead: when and how will it happen. And we provide the heartbreaking, and inspiring context of who asks this question, and the additional sentiments only Rav Rimon could write. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampst...

This morning we discuss the inherent contradiction between the famous words of Bilaam, Mah Tovu... (How goodly are your tents...), and almost the same words (Mah Tov...) used by the prophet Micah. Based on an essay by Bailey Newman, quoting Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz, Franz Rosenzweig, and Rabbi Shai Held, we understand how we are, at the same time, flawless and imperfect. Michael Whitman is the senior...

This morning we discuss a new paradigm for prayer that can meaningfully resonate with us today, with all we are going through in Israel and around the world. This is based on a presentation by Rabbanit Chana Henkin, one of today's foremost Torah teachers, largely responsible for the wonderful surge in women's advanced Torah study in our generation, and one of our greatest Torah leaders. Rabbanit H...

This morning we discuss an example of excellent leadership that extends beyond the years of a person's life. Here is a dramatic example of how Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein continued (and continues) to teach people how to act properly even after he passed away. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill University Faculty of Law....

This morning I share an emotional story which is the perfect expression of the message I shared yesterday (here: https://youtu.be/745Y-LDNLlU?feature=shared). It is from Rabbi Asher Weiss and represents just one aspect of the greatness of our Israeli soldiers. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill University Faculty of La...

This morning we contrast the Shirah (song of praise) sung by the Jewish people in our Torah portion, Chukat, near the end of 40 years in the desert, with the more famous Shirah sung by the Jewish people almost 40 years earlier after the splitting of the Red Sea. Based on an insight from my friend and colleague, Rabbi Daniel Korobkin, the differences in this Shirah hold a deep message for each one...

This morning we discuss a novel approach to why Moshe is not allowed to enter the Land of Israel, not based on hitting the rock, not based on what he said to criticize to the people, but based on the order of what he said to the people. This insight is from Rabbi Elazer Shach, and is demonstrated by stories from Don Knauss and Margaret Mead. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregatio...

While I have repeatedly called on the removal of the Chareidi (ultra-orthodox) exemption for serving in the Israel Defense Force (IDF) based on Jewish law and based on the rift it causes in Israeli society, the IDF must make reasonable accommodations to Chareidi lifestyle that do not degrade military effectiveness. Here is one issue where the IDF agreed it had made a mistake, based on a misunderst...

This morning we discuss the revolutionary concept of leadership initiated by Moshe, against which Korach unsuccessfully rebelled. Following the analysis of Rabbi Jonathan Jacks, we learn that a leader must respect and serve others, while raising them to their highest potential. With this insight I pay tribute to my dear friend, Dr. Peter Safran, who this week completes his third term as president...

This evening we explore the deeper challenge Korach represented in his challenge of Moshe, according to Rambam (Maimonides). We see two superb lessons in how Korach's sons rejected his ways, based on an insight of Rabbi Shneur Kotler and Sivan Rahav Meir. We analyze the surprising source for 10 needed for a Minyan, and the two services we perform whenever we join a Minyan in synagogue. And we offe...

This morning we discuss the problem of misinformation that sways a majority, but is false. What we see happening with Israel today is parallel to what happened when the Jewish People believed the ten spies who went into Israel with a jaundiced eye looking for all that was wrong, instead of the two spies, who went into Israel with the proven certainty of God's promise of success and the land's good...

This morning I briefly share five more "walking sticks" or tools/strategies to make our prayer more meaningful. This is mostly based on a remarkable lecture I heard from my friend, colleague, and teacher, Rabbi Marc Penner. 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 synagog...

This morning I share three "walking sticks" or tools/strategies to make our prayer more meaningful. This is mostly based on a remarkable lecture I heard from my friend, colleague, and teacher, Rabbi Marc Penner. 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...

This morning we discuss the all-too-frequent instances when we refuse to take responsibility for our failures, and try to shift the blame to others. We discuss how General Dwight D. Eisenhower is a model for how we, and our leaders, SHOULD act. According to Heather Cox Richardson, Eisenhower's greatest heroism is a letter he wrote, that he never revealed. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADA...

This morning we discuss Israeli resilience as described by Dan Senor and Saul Singer (co-authors of "Start-Up Nation") in a new essay on Sapir Journal. They portray the humour Israelis expressed as Iranian missiles were streaking toward them. They show how many Israelis build their resilience muscles from a young age where society rewards them for working as a group, and living a life of service....

This morning I celebrate my healed knee by discussing how we are to bow during our prayers (which I can now do for the first time in six weeks), and what we mean by "blessing" God. We analyze two possible derivations of the word for blessing, Baruch, which give us two layers of meaning in what we are saying to God with this formula. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hamp...

This is my presentation as one of four panelist tonight at a Zoom event hosted by Congregation Dorshei Emet, titled "End of Life: Planning and Care." My topic was MAID (Medical Assistance in Dying), and I outline sources in classical Jewish law which prohibit this practice, in spite of its noble and humane motives. I share my experiences in Montreal with government and hospital pledges that were m...

This morning I share a wonderful story from Rabbi Meilech Biderman, who sees in it three foundational lessons for how we live our lives.. 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...

This morning we discuss the destructive boycott of Israeli universities and academics, outlined by Professor Netta Barak-Corren (Hebrew University Professor of Law), who also offers practical steps we can all take to help remedy this. Those who want peace in Israel and a better future for Palestinians, should be increasing their contacts with Israeli academics, not boycotting them. I share my pers...

This morning we discuss part of a monumental lecture delivered by the Rav, Rabbi Yosef Soloveitchik explaining how the loving, loyal Miriam could criticize her younger brother, Moshe at the endo of our Torah portion (B'Ha'alotechah). We discuss the distinction between a great teacher and a great leader, which Moshe only realizes now, and how we can apply this to our lives today. We conclude with a...

This morning we discuss fascinating recent archeological findings concerning the color of Tefilin (phylacteries) in ancient Israel, and contrast that with Talmudic rulings on this subject. I am in awe and inspired that we have Tefilin from 2000 years ago, and that scientists and researchers are studying them. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an ad...

This morning we clarify what NFL Football fans will call the newest team member of the Indianapolis Colts, whose first name is the same as the name of God, which, using it would seem to violate the third of the Ten Commandments, taking God's name in vain. In truth, we explain it is clearly permitted. And we quote senior sports reporter Jodi Epstein's praise of what just asking this question can do...

This morning we describe the structure of the Yizkor service (which we say this Thursday, Wednesday in Israel), and analyze the two central paragraphs, Yizkor Elokim, and Kel Maleh Rachamim, explaining the differences between them. Based on an essay by Rabbi Shmuel Hain, we elucidate two separate goals of the Yizkor service, and we conclude with a great quote from "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fi...