Thoughts on Pesach 5782

This Friday at sunset we will mark the beginning not only of Shabbat, but also the festival of Pesach, which is one of the main pillars of our religious experience and our identity. Passover is a festival of freedom and joy, but also of certain duties and necessary sacrifices which are supposed Continue Reading

Thoughts on parashat Tazria.

The quality of our life, in all its dimensions – material, social, psychological and spiritual, is dependent on our morality, our culture and how we relate to each other on a daily basis. We can make our life heaven and we can make it hell – it is  in our hands. As the famous Continue Reading

Thoughts on parashat Shemini.

Does everything (bad) that happens to us happen for a reason? If so, where should we look for answers? In theology, science or our moral conduct as individuals or groups? The Torah portion for this week brings up this topic. On the eighth day, following the seven days of their inauguration, Continue Reading

Thoughts on parashat Vayikra. 

There is a common view that forgiveness in Judaism is conditional and that there is no forgiveness without repairing the damage done by a wrongdoer. Broadly speaking this view is true, however there are some important nuances here. In the Tanakh forgiveness, as such, is inextricably tied Continue Reading

Thoughts on parashat Vayakhel. 

Our Torah portion for this week is among those that deal with the building of the Mishkan / Tabernacle. At the very beginning of our parasha Moses speaks to the Israelites about the necessary contributions they need to make in order to build the House in which God Himself resides:

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Thoughts on parashat Tetzaveh.

To do the right thing is different from calling for or justifying doing the right thing. Practically speaking, these two do not always go together. Similarly, doing wrong/bad is different than trying to whitewash or justify the wrong/bad. Justified good is not particularly more good than Continue Reading

Thoughts on parashat Mishpatim. 

The country is difficult when everything seems to be the simplest to everyone

The country is beautiful when everything seems bad to everyone

Marek Grechuta, Jeszcze pożyjemy / Yet we will live

Parashat Mishpatim is extraordinarily rich in laws, judgements and statutes governing every Continue Reading

Thoughts on parashat Beshalach.

Tyranny never gives up on its own. With a very few historical exceptions, it has never subsided until it was completely defeated. And there are typically no polite, peaceful, democratic methods to unseat the tyrant. It has to be done in a radical way. 

This is one of the lessons from Continue Reading

Thoughts on parashat Vayigash. 

Since the early 1900’s average life expectancy has been constantly growing, particularly in the Western World, but not exclusively. The average life expectancy in the US today is 78,9 years, compared to 47 in the year 1900. Today, life expectancy increase is a world-wide phenomenon, Continue Reading