While Biblical Hebrew is a relatively simple language, it is not an easy language. Our brilliant commentators each carried with them particular interests which make up the bulk of their focus. For example, the Baal Ha'Turim typically focuses on gematria, notarikon, connections between words which occur only two or three times in Tanakh, and other esoteric features. The Or Ha'Hayyim will…
In his commentary on Pirkei Avot known as the Shmoneh Perakim (Eight Chapters), the Rambam argues that the source of Moshe's punishment to not be able to enter the Land of Israel was because he had a tendency to succumb to his anger. It is one of the most noticeable traits which Moshe exhibits throughout the Torah. There are moments in which…
The following d'var torah on Parashat Va'era was offered by Elijah Caro on the Shabbat celebrating his becoming a Bar Mitzvah Raise your hand if you’ve seen the 1956 movie The 10 Commandments starring Charlton Heston as Moses? Well, I’ve never seen that movie, but I did see a cartoon version of the Exodus story, and I think the image…
The best phrases in Torah, in my opinion, are those which seldom appear - they are so much more ripe for plumbing the depths of meaning! They also present unique opportunities to completely remove any preconceived notions of what those deeper meanings might be, especially when it is a turn of phrase which does not seem so foreign. When one…
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I'll never forget my first day in Asheville. 1997, standing in the parking lot of the French Broad Food Co-op thinking, "I will live here one day." Throughout my years at Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in L.A., I often thought of Asheville and CBI. Danielle and I were married in Montford. Our aufruf (when the groom is called to the Torah) was in the small CBI chapel. To be honest, I never envisioned being a pulpit rabbi - I love community organizing and non-profit management - but if there was one place I would want to be a pulpit rabbi, I knew it would be here. (read more)