Reading Torah Through Grief
Parashat Ha’Azinu: Healing Ourselves
What is God's role in moving through life to death?
Parashat Nitzavim-Vayeilech: Ethical Wills
Although we might think of the Torah as being about the past, detailing the origins of the cosmos, the planet ...
Parashat Ki Teitzei: Carrying the Burden
We aren’t expected to pull ourselves up without help.
Parashat Matot-Masei: Marking the Miracles
Many of the moments we once took for granted can be appreciated as miracles if we only stop to notice.
Parashat Matot: Honoring Wishes
Sometimes our promises to the dying cannot be fulfilled.
Parashat Balak: A Good Eye
As the curtain falls on a particular life story, the instinct is to construct a narrative that amplifies their better qualities.
Parashat Chukat: Acknowledging Our Blessings
The sudden disappearance of water after the death of Miriam reminds to appreciate our blessings while we have them.
Parashat Behar: Advance Planning
Having some logistics in place can alleviate some of the anxiety surrounding a loved one's death.
Parashat Vayeilech: Legacies That Live On
After learning he will soon die, Moses expresses fear that his values will not survive him.
Ki Tavo: Instructions to Those Who Outlive Us
Moses's example shows how we can continue to learn from those who have passed on.
Parashat Masei: Cycles of Grief
One season we find ourselves among the mourners, the next we are among the comforters.
Parashat Bechukotai: Great Loss
The curses in this week's portion are a reminder of the calamities we all face.
Parashat Kedoshim: Caring for Our Bodies
As a rabbi, I have been asked many times what it means to be holy. Most literally, the Hebrew word ...
Parashat Achrei Mot: Space to Grieve
Aaron's silence after the death of his sons confirms what we know: Death should not be explained away.
Parashat Metzora: Healing From the Mysterious and Incomprehensible
This week’s Torah portion, Parashat Metzorah, is primarily concerned with a peculiar biblical affliction called tzaraat (tzah-RAH-at). Commonly mistranslated as ...