Torah and Today

Congregation Sons of Israel (in Manalapan NJ) updates our name to include the entire children of Israel, as we strive to create an eternal legacy.

What I learned from my real-life encounter with Michael & Summer Dawson PLUS: who is the suffering servant of Isaiah 53?

From the days of Yosef and Yehuda to the Maccabees to our own time, the legacy of the Jewish people is all about walking in the path of truth.

Our fathers and mothers received new names in watershed moments that helped define their life trajectory forward. How can you connect with your name in your struggles today?

Today, it’s possible to walk in the Biblical heart of Israel where our forefathers and mothers walked and lived. But what does Genesis teach us about the most difficult problems that face us in the land of Israel today?

Avraham’s prayer for the wicked city of Sedom depends on the presence of a “Minyan” of Tzaddikim (righteous people).  A deeper look at this moment sheds light on the importance of community for our spiritual health.

Avraham left Charan and followed the word of HaShem without knowing his destination. How does Avraham’s path guide us to move forward in life, amid doubt and uncertainty?

The Hebrew Bible gave the world a radical idea: God, not flesh and blood, is the true king. When we reject cults of personality and center our lives around HaShem, we bring blessing into the world.   How can we bring this big idea of HaShem as our king into daily life?

A new Torah reading cycle is a time to consider a learning opportunity that is accessible for every Jew.

Sukkot is a time to consider the real struggle between Israel and the nations, and how that struggle plays out in our lives.

The first Sukkot celebration after the return of captives from Bavel to Jerusalem teaches us the power of our modest Sukkah.

Exploring the boundaries of apology and forgiveness in the Teshuva process. Is it ever appropriate to withhold forgiveness?

Understanding the Akeda (Binding of Isaac) is critical for our connection to the Days of Awe, and understanding Jewish morality.

A recent Kashrus scandal in Manalapan NJ forces us to rethink the “WHY” of Mitzvot.

Including people in the Jewish community is a lifesaving endeavor. Yet, it takes ingenuity, perseverance and creativity to make that happen.

The Jewish people have always longed for the land of Israel. What do we make of life of our life in exile?  

We’re back at the Jewish Growth Podcast! The word of HaShem is a source of life and comfort for the Jewish people. Yet, the Jewish people feared that they would perish when G-d spoke to the at Sinai. How do we resolve this paradox? And if G-d is the source of life, how can EVERY Jew love HaShem and connect to the word of God? 

My last Drasha at Kesser Israel—after 17 years—is a cause for reflection on the meaning of the weekly Drasha/Sermon in Shul. We consider how Moshe increased his own spirit prior to helping others connect with “the Ruach.”  This podcast will be back intermittently over June and July and we plan to be back in full force in August.

Our rabbis teach us that “one Mitzvah causes another Mitzvah.” Yet, seemingly it is possible to perform one Mitzvah without it leading anywhere in particular. How do we realize a full life of walking in the Mitzvot?

As we count the days toward Shavuot, the counting of Sefira helps us to understand that power of positive habit in our Torah lives. How do we access our full potential through new habits?

As Jews, we experience a tension between our desire to be a “Kiddush HaShem” and the fact that, often, people we encounter do not look favorably upon our Torah practices. How do we thrive with this unresolved tension present in our lives? What does it mean to make a Kiddush HaShem in a non-Jewish world?

Our will to live is the most basic of human drives. But how do we define life? The Torah’s command to “live in Mitzvot” suggests a path that shapes the meaning of our lives.

Isaiah’s futuristic vision of the messianic era points to our innate ability to overcome our natural limitations.

Learning to find your personal Exodus on Pesach and beyond.

What is the purpose of having a rabbi in our lives?