Eulogy first, tears later: Why did Avraham praise Sarah before he wept? Rabbi Weinreb weighs three commentators and finds Sarah still very much present. more

I’m a Brooklyn boy, born and bred. Apart from occasional visits to the Prospect Park Zoo and the park’s lake and skimpy woods, I grew up in a totally urban environment, with few opportunities to … more

I picked him up at the airport. He was arriving in Baltimore, where I was then a rabbi, to deliver an address and then return home to New York. The plane was late, so when he arrived, I … more

The French poet Baudelaire once remarked that the devil’s greatest success is his ability to convince us that he does not exist. Whereas Judaism does not believe in the devil quite as … more

Do you ever hear voices? I do, especially at this time of year. During these ten-days of teshuvah , between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, Jews become more contemplative, serious, and given to … more

This period of the year demands two kinds of spiritual commitment. The first is charatah, regret: an honest inner search of our past year’s behavior, especially conduct that was sinful, immoral, … more

It is the last Sabbath of this year, and we will shortly usher in the New Year. Without a doubt, there is quite a bit of sadness attached to this Sabbath, and indeed, to this time of year. As we … more

How would you translate the opening verse in this week’s Torah portion, Ki Savo? Here are two Jewish translations: “When you enter the land that the L-rd your G-d has given you.” ( JPS … more

For the past several weeks, in anticipation of the upcoming Days of Awe, I have devoted this column to the topic of teshuva , repentance.   Many of us find this topic quite scary. … more

For as long as I can remember, the arrival of Elul has unsettled me. I sense the days of judgment drawing near. I turn inward and ask whether I am ready to “face the music.” Over the years, … more