Mining The Riches Of The Parsha

This morning we explore the unnecessarily repeated use of the word Achichah (brother or sister) in the command to return a lost object to its owner. Rabbi Matisyahu Salamon explains this word in the Torah does not refer to a blood relative, but to one with whom we share a kinship of purpose, and for whom we would do anything to help. This is how we should feel toward each other. Michael Whitman is...

This morning we examine the prohibition of cutting down fruit trees. Based on an essay by Rabbi Akiva Wolff, we explore the exceptions and the dangers, both physical and spiritual, in wasting anything God has given us. 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 co...

This evening we examine the difficult Mitzvah of following the Halachic ruling of your rabbi, even when he is wrong. When does this apply and when does it not apply. We explain the distinction between a dispute of east v. west, and a dispute between right v. left. We use the example of Rav Herschel Schachter and how he approached dealing with myriad questions during covid. Then we trace the single...

This morning we analyze the Torah's requirement for eye-witness testimony exclusively for criminal matters, while legal experts today consider eye-witness testimony to be the least reliable form of evidence. We explain this discrepancy, and learn a valuable lesson for our everyday life, expressed by the novelist, Walter Mosely. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead...

This morning we review the subject in our Torah portion of Ir Miklat - cities of refuge. We explore an understanding from Sivan Rahav Meir that the month of of Ellul, the month of preparation for the High Holidays, is a type of place of refuge for us to rehabilitate ourselves. We have the opportunity to reflect on mistakes we have made, and how to correct them. The key is to surround ourselves wit...

This morning we analyze the famous verse, "Justice, Justice shall you pursue,' and the doubling of the word Justice. We quote several explanations from the Talmud and one from the Kotzker Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Kotz, illustrated by a wonderful story of Rabbi Yisroel Salanter. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill...

This morning we discuss the two roles Shofar serves; one on Rosh Hashanah, and the other starting today during the month of Ellul. This second role is to help us prepare for Rosh Hashanah by acting as the roar of a lion. 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...

This morning we share a spiritual and emotional roadmap of the next seven weeks through Ellul and the High Holidays. Based on a lecture by Rabbi Yaakov Weinberg, we distinguish between the requirement to believe in the coming of Moshiach and the independent requirement to await anxiously that arrival. With this we understand the purpose of the month of Ellul, and how it unfolds into Rosh Hashanah...

This morning we learn from the Rebbe of Sedigura the meaning of Re'eh (See - the first word in our Torah portion) which stands for "Today we announce the Month of Ellul." The month of Ellul is a gift from God to allow us to prepare ourselves for Rosh Hashanah. At the same time, when this announcement is made, it should send a chill through us as we realize the approach of the Days of Awe. Michael...

This evening we focus on the crucial word "HaYom" (today),, and learn from a Christian minister how important this word it. We analyze the comparable damage caused by dividing into fractious groups with causing a physical wound. And we share a beautiful story from the previous Tosher Rebbe about what it means to be God's child. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead...

This morning we explore the theme of seeking God's place - Jerusalem - and seeking God's closeness through prayer - during the High Holiday season starting Rosh Chodesh Ellul, this Monday. For both we are promised, if we seek with sacrifice, introspection, and effort, we will reach God. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGi...

Yesterday, Tuesday, was the first Yartzeit of the six young people, abducted by Hamas on October 7, tortured for almost a year, then murdered by Hamas terrorists. I share, verbatim the searing words of Rachel Goldberg-Polin, whose son, Hersh, was one of the six who were murdered. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill Univ...

Once the Torah foretells there will never be an end to poverty, we need another goal for Tzedakah. This is provided by the double language "Pasoach Tiftach," which indicates not an action but a stance. We see this same idea expressed in the details and name of Maaser Sheni, the second tithing. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor...

This morning we pay tribute to Rabbi Berel Wein, who passed away last Shabbat. He was an exceptional rabbi, scholar, teacher, and leader. We focus on his unique genius of making Jewish history come live, and we share a story relating to this week's Torah portion, Re'eh. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill University Fac...

This morning we interpret the beginning of our Torah portion, Re'eh, as see or investigate what leads to life/blessing and what leads to death/curse - choosing life comes later. I tell my story of meeting Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger, born Jewish, Archbishop of Paris. Notwithstanding his assertion, the beliefs of Judaism and Christianity cannot be reconciled. Especially today it is necessary to in...

This morning we learn from Rabbi Avraham Kook a new way of looking at a Mezuzah, and a new connection each of us has with Israel wherever we are. 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 evening we discuss how a minor Rabbinic ruling on Bentching (saying Birkat HaMazon or grace after meals) gives us a new and much better way of looking at the world, earning us a special measure of God's grace. We cite the prophecy of Isaiah (Yishayahu HaNavi) that God will rebuild the ruined places of Israel, and describe how this has come true in our day at the magnificent Hurva Synagogue in...

This morning we focus on one of the themes in the second paragraph of Shma, which is in our Torah portion, Eikev. I reflect on the aspect of Tisha B'Av that hurts and shatters me personally more than any other. And we analyze the prayer we say now that hopefully heals that pain. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill Unive...

This morning we explore why the blessing after we eat is longer and more detailed than the blessing we make before we eat. Based on a principle of Rabbi S. R. Hirsch, we look at the context of the commandment to bless after we eat in our Parsha, Eikev, and see this truth reflected in the writing of Emily Dickinson, R. Baruch Epstein, and George Santayana. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADA...

This morning we explore the paragraph added to Benching (grace after meals) for the warriors of Beitar. Why was it written, why is it included here, and why is the word Amein just before it. We uncover the message this carries for us, especially today. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill University Faculty of Law. ADATH...

This morning we present Micah Goodman's analysis of the Israeli government's decision to occupy Gaza (starting with Gaza City). From an interview with Daniel Gordis, Goodman presents a comprehensive, balanced perspective on the dilemma facing Israel, the best case for the government's position, and why a less bad option is a wiser choice. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation i...

This evening we discuss the name of the Mitzvah of Mezuzah, which actually refers to the doorpost, not the rolled-up scroll. We explore how this Shabbat, Shabbat Nachamu (the Shabbat of Consolation) drastically changes the mood from the sadness and mourning of Tisha B'Av to the exuberance we now experience. We explain this with a great story about feeding a lion, and a closer looks at the words of...

This morning I share part of an interview of Ilana Sacks done by Daniel Gordis. We learn about the incredible, inspiring work of Sadnat Shiluv (The Integration Workshop) in G'vaot, near Efrat, Israel. From here we learn about different projects of integration, in every sphere of Israeli life, throughout the country. While we may not hear much about these projects, they are happening, they are grow...

This morning we discuss why a Mezuzah is placed slanted on a doorway. The answer may surprise you, and will certainly give you a new understanding each time we look at the Mezuzah. 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, providin...

This morning I lead a guided mantra meditation, based on the work of Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan, focusing on the words of Shma Yisroel. We explore the deeper meaning of each word. Then by singing it repeatedly, we are about to focus our thinking on the depth of each word. Please try it and let me know what you think. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an ad...