When we are introduced to Noach at the beginning of the parsha, Rashi notes that his being called a tzaddik (righteous man) “in his generation” could be interpreted either … more

One of the more disturbing images from the great rebuke in our parsha, KiTavo, “Your corpses will be food for all the birds of the sky and beasts of the land, and no one will be … more

When one reads through Parshat Shemot, one can easily become engrossed in Moshe’s story. Whether it’s the defiance of Pharaoh’s decree by placing him in a basket; whether it’s the anonymous women in 2:1-10 who save him more

The Yalkut Shimoni’s opening comment in his Midrashic exposition on Parshas Vayakhel is translated as follows: “Vayakhel Moshe, and Moshe gathered: Our Rabbis, the master … more

In this week’s parsha, Ki Tetze, the last two verses of Chapter 21 seem to describe a clear case. The corpse of a person executed by the court is to be hanged from a tree for a short period of … more

Opinion By Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of Feb. 13, 2009 / 19 Shevat 5769 Relative to other surgeries, bris milah is a simple procedure, with a surprisingly low risk rate. At the same time, an … more

Parshat Vayeshev by Rabbi Avi Billet Issue of December 11, 2009/ 24 Kislev 5770 Before the infamous sale of Yosef — in which the role of Yosef’s brothers is the subject of much debate — … more

For these things I weep; my eye, yea my eye, sheds tears, for the comforter to restore my soul is removed from me; my children are desolate, for the enemy has prevailed.” (Eichah … more

Our 21st century minds may find the purification process of the metzora unsettling. "Take two live birds, cedar wood, scarlet and hyssop. Have one bird killed in an earthen vessel over running water. Dip the remaining items (including the other live bird) in the blood of the first bird. Sprinkle the mixture on the one being purified, then let the live bird go free." (14:4-7) more

This week and next week, the Torah portion begins with the phrase “yom ha shmini,” referring to an eighth day. In this week’s parsha Shemini, the reference is to the eighth day of … more