Mining The Riches Of The Parsha

This morning we ask why Moshe's parents are nameless in this Torah portion (their names are mentioned next week). We share the practical, stylistic answer of Ramban, and the deeper lesson to be learned, from R. Zalman Sorotzkin in Oznaim L'Torah. Then we tack on a wonderful insight into Moshe's grandparents, from Rabbi Shlomo Riskin. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Ham...

This morning we explore an essay by Toba Hellerstein in the Sapir Journal. She researches the success of anti-Israel activism and the relative failure of pro-Israel activism in the hearts and minds of many in North America, especially among younger people. She argues we are expressing our pro-Israel feelings and emotions in a way that is cathartic to those who are pro-Israel, but we are not attune...

This morning we explore the world of YuouTube videos in the genre of making music with strangers - there are hundreds of channels doing this, all with their own style. I share a video done by the pianist Adrien Cohen, my current favorite. Then I share the story of how this begin, in 2018, by Reginald Guitaro Guillame. the story is inspiring, and provides a momentous lesson for every one if us, eac...

This morning we review three practical, straightforward steps to becoming a wonderful grandparent. We learn from the differences in how Yaakov treated his children from his grandchildren. We explain why a grandparent must earn the respect of their grandchildren, and how to do that. And we explore a final lesson exemplified in a famous episode of "Lassie." Grandparents must take the initiative and...

This evening we investigate what Dr. Aviva Zornberg calls, "one of the most startling questions in the entire Torah." We share an incredible story from Franny Weissman that doesn't allow Hitler to win. And we explore what we will all say in Shul this Shabbat morning at the end of the Torah reading, and how it is paraphrased and exemplified in Israel today. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of AD...

This morning I present another section of the famous lecture delivered by the Rav, Rabbi Yosef Soloveitchik, in 1974. (see Part 1 here: https://youtu.be/BgekaLrf0n4?si=BNNKuAtJvoDk8K2b). Here the Rav creates one of his most enduring images, demonstrating in personal terms the ability of every generation of Jews to communicate and be united with every other generation in our pursuit of coming close...

This morning I share part of a monumental lecture by the Rav, Rabbi Yosef Soloveitchik on the relationship between grandparents and their grandchildren, starting with Yaakov and his grandsons Ephraim and Menashe, which will lead to the ultimate redemption of Israel. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill University Faculty...

Today is the Fast Day of 10 Tevet, which is also selected as the date of Kaddish and Yartzeit for anyone whose true date of death is unknown (especially victims of the Holocaust). This morning I tell a jarring story from Etgar Keret, speaking to Terry Gross on Fresh Air (my favorite radio program), about his mother, a Holocaust survivor, and how that experience affected her. Michael Whitman is the...

This morning I share two wonderful and insightful stories about the Rav, Rabbi Yosef Soloveitchik, both told years ago by Rabbi Shlomo Riskin. These stories exemplify the Rav's razor-sharp mind, and outlook on life. 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 commu...

This morning I share a fascinating story told by Rabbi Shlomo Riskin about the amazing level of intellectual honesty of the Rav, Rabbi Yosef Soloveitchik. 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 gen...

This morning I share my state of mind - preoccupied, distracted, oblivious to everything and everyone - while travelling early this week. And I share a moving story from Lisa Resnick (who I don't know), to help me act differently, better the next time. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill University Faculty of Law. ADATH...

This evening we identify the person (Ish - man or person) who was not present when Yosef revealed himself to his brothers, based on an amazing insight of Rabbi Shmuel Brazil. From Rabbi Meilech Biderman, we learn how Yosef healed himself from the trauma he suffered for 22 years before reuniting with his father, a skill hard to accomplish but transformative in its therapeutic value. And we provide...

This morning we analyze the dramatic moment of Yosef revealing himself to his brothers, and see, with the help of Rabbi Avraham Pam and Rabbi Baruch Mordechai Ezrachi, the momentous power in the simple words Yosef speaks. First, we share the heroism of the last remaining hostage's body in Gaza, Ran Gvili, and pray for his quick return home for burial. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH C...

My Uncle Sidney Katz passed away last Shabbat at the age of 96. He and I were very close, especially as I was growing up. His four children, my first cousins, were my best friends growing up and still today, and I love each of them. I had the honour and privilege to officiate and speak at Uncle Sidney's funeral this past Monday in Memphis, Tennessee, where he was born, where we all grew up, and he...

This morning I share part of an interview by Daniel Gordis with my friend and colleague, Rabbi Seth Farber founder and director of ITIM. One of the reasons I share this is because I so strongly agree with Rabbi Farber. He outlines with dramatic examples the Jewish resurgence in Israel today, what it could mean for the greatly improved future of Israel and Judaism, and how it is being stymied by ab...

This morning we ask why isn't today, Sunday, the last day of Chanukah (in other words the famous question why is Chanukah 8 days and not 7). We present a new answer based on the Rav, Rabbi Yosef Soloveitchik that gives us a new, sublime outlook on our mission in life, demonstrated by a heart stopping story. But first I share a story of looking for the helpers (paraphrasing Mr. Rogers) in last Sund...

This morning I share an essay from Rabbi Zohar Atkins that startled me, and contains a fundamental insight into Chanukah - I can only fulfill my obligation with your participation, and vice versa. 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 Mo...

This evening we explore the clash on this Friday afternoon of the Chanukah Menorah and the Shabbat lights. While outwardly similar, the reasons for each are different, and so too the directions. But which takes priority, and why? We trace insights from Rashi, Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein, Jancee Dunn, Rabbi Yeshaya Halevi Horowitz (the Shaloh), the Slonimer Rebbe, and Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. Wishing yo...

This morning we explain why we are not supposed to count Jews, based on an insight from Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, who explains this is the central message of Chanukah. We demonstrate this with a great story from Daniel Gordis about 20 years ago, and another story from last Monday night. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill U...

This morning we survey two different designs of the Menorah. We analyze the difference between them, and trace the historical dispute about which design should be on the official seal of the State of Israel, and how that dispute remains a fault line in Israeli society till today. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill Univ...

This morning I share an emotional story from 2009 which is a kind of a miracle, with a message it shares with Chanukah - Eshel. 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 plea...

Disclaimer: More than once today I referred to a series of Parshiot mistakenly. I meant to refer to VaYeishev, MIketz, VaYigash, and VaYechi. Please forgive me. This morning we pay tribute to Ahmed al-Ahmed who is a Moslem, who risked his life to intervene against one of the shooters on Bondi Beach, saving the lives of countless Jews celebrating Chanukah. It is incredibly important to never make g...

This morning we describe PSR( (posthumous sperm retrieval) and why this subject is so important now in Israel. Then we provide an overview of the relevant issues in Jewish Law to help determine if this is permitted. The short answer is, it's complicated. 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 we explain the change in policy regarding beer and its Kosher status. All craft beers and microbreweries require Kosher supervision, while thousands of nationally distributed beers are in fact Kosher. This is now the policy of major Kashrut organizations, and also the policy at ADATH. We analyze why this change occurred, and the lesson each of us needs to learn to apply in our own liv...

This evening we consider how silence contributed to the wish for violence from the brothers toward Yosef. We explore how PTSD neutralizes the process of memory, demonstrated by Yaakov. And we utilize Yosef's steps in defying the temptation of Potifar's wife as a set of guidelines each of us can use to resist whatever temptation we face. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in...