Mining The Riches Of The Parsha

This morning we address why God chose Abraham over anyone else. We present three approaches, including an inspiring answer by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. 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...

This morning we investigate why God "descended" to see the Tower of Babel. Doesn't God know without "descending" (whatever that means for God)? To answer, I quote our family motto, devised by one of our children, which we all repeat regularly amongst ourselves. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill University Faculty of L...

This evening we examine a radical but authentic understanding of Faith in God. We explore the complexity of a rainbow's message to us. And we investigate Game Theory in our Torah portion, based on Abarbanel. 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...

This morning we investigate Hallel, the prayer of praise and thanks we say on Holidays, such as today which is Rosh Chodesh, the beginning of the new Jewish month. There is a contradiction between the two themes of this prayer and we discuss two approaches to resolve this; one from Rabbi Doron Peres, and one from Professor Shawn Aster - both are relevant to each of us every day. Michael Whitman is...

This morning we analyze why Noach and his family were the only one's saved from the Mabul (flood). This is based on Or HaChaim, Sefer Chareidim, and a great story from Facebook. 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 J...

This morning , after a quote from Albert Einstein, I share several extraordinary, true stories about the newly returned hostages, focusing on how they made it and what kept they going through 738 days. 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 suburb...

This morning we explore a subtle but critical distinction in assessing end of life decisions according to Jewish Law. And we correct a misleading title in a recent Times of Israel article. 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,...

This morning we analyze why God created a world and with so many imperfections. We tell the fictional story of the Lazy Mayor, the mayor of Harmony creek and what she did with The Lot. 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, prov...

This morning we explore how God always gives us another chance to do Teshuva and improve our ways. God does so for Yona and for the people of Ninveh. We share a remarkable story of genuine repentance from Reb Shlomo Carlebach. 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 syna...

This morning we explore the connection between the Book of Jonah and Rosh Hashanah (even though we read this work on Yom Kippur afternoon).The narrative of Yishmael and Hagar being sent away may seem disconnected from Rosh Hashanah, but it is actually its essence. This explains Tashlich (which many people misunderstand), and Yona's irritation with God's mercy. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi o...

We read Sefer Yonah (The Book of Jonah) on the afternoon of Yom Kippur, but the themes of the narrative, and the questions it asks us to confront are fundamental to the entire High Holiday season. Today we focus on Yona's backstory, what we know about him before this narrative, and how that impacts our understanding of the work as a whole. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation...

This morning we a phrase that had become popular, "The King is in the field." We explain its origin, with Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, and the actual offer it claims to make, demonstrated by a dramatic story from Rabbi Meilech Biderman. 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 or...

This morning we explore an extraordinary place, Niv Nirel Center in Israel, with 3 stories (from an interview done by Daniel Gordis). The first story will frighten you and break your heart. The second story will inspire you and give you hope for the future. And the third story will do all that and more. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct...

This evening we explore the ceremony of Bikkurim (bringing first fruits) and how it is structured to help us repel external enemies and resolve internal squabbles. We investigate the concept of Nechama (comfort or consolation after a major loss). Where do we hope to arrive, based on Rabbi Maurice Lamm, Rabbi S.R. Hirsch, Frederik Backman, and Suleina Jaouad. Finally, we trace the structure and sig...

This morning we draw three lessons that remain with us of the terrible events 24 years ago today. 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 welcoming everyone wit...

This morning we analyze the initiation ceremony as the Jewish People entered Israel, and the relevance it has for us today, using the explanation of Rabbi Yerucham Perlow. With that we explore why there are two days of Rosh Hashanah, and how they differ, based on the Zohar and the Arizal. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at Mc...

This morning we contrast the word Viduy (usually translated as confession) on Yom Kippur, with the same word used to describe fulfilling God's commands, in our Parsha. Based on the Rav, Rabbi Yosef Soloveitchik, we explore how the former is only made possible by the latter. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill University...

This morning we discuss Hagba, lifting the Torah Scroll in Synagogue; why, how, when, and for what goal for everyone in the sanctuary. 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 gre...

This morning we consider the curious phrase When someone says they did all the Mitzvot, and they did not forget them. If they did it, why must they state, and they did not forget to do it? We share the fundamental principle of Rabbi Norman Lamm, who explains one can do a Mitzvah and still forget it. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct prof...

This morning we don't only wish and pray for a new year of good health, but present concrete steps from our Parsha, Ki Teitzei, to help attain that. Some of these may seem mundane, but each one is a Mitzvah, as the mundane is also holy. 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 ort...

This morning we analyze a passage in our Parsha - Ki Teitzei, and a passage in the Talmud, plus a story with Rabbi Yehiel Meir, to arrive at what it takes to be a Great Person, not just a brilliant Torah Scholar. 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 communit...

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This morning we emphasize the need to prepare now to acknowledge God as HaMelech (the King) on Rosh Hashanah. We show the critical importance of this from a story of Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai and Vespasian. And we describe what this means with a story from Rabbi Biderman about the 402 bus from Bnei Brak to Jerusalem. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, a...

This morning we address the legitimate needs for Jewish divorce, and ways to try to avoid it. We discuss how the Jewish divorce ceremony (Gett) is meant to treat both people with respect, and provide a mechanism for them each to start a new path, unencumbered by the other. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill University...

This morning we learn that not only are we prohibited from causing unnecessary pain to any living creature, but we are also not allowed to cause anxiety or emotional turmoil of any kind. We highlight the work of Dr. Temple Grandin, the world's expert on designing equipment that keeps animals calm. She attributes this ability to her autism, which causes her to see the world in a way similar to how...