Bryan Schwartz

Law Professor, Author of "Sacred Goof" and "Consoulation: A Musical Mediation"

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Jul 7, 2025, 11:27 PM

Pinhas and Naming Names

Sections of the Bible are often known by one of the first words in the related text, which might be the name of a person. Torah readings are sometimes named after figures execrated in the Tradition, such as Korah,...

Jul 2, 2025, 7:32 AM

The Splitting at Meribah: Words and Deeds

At the beginning of this week's Torah reading, Parashat Chukat, Miriam has died, and the Israelites can find no water in the desert (Numbers 20:1–2). The people, once again, express their defeatism (Numbers 20:2–5). God orders Moses and Aaron to...

Jun 26, 2025, 7:28 PM

Everybody Wanted to Be Moses – Except Moses

This week’s Torah reading is about the Korah rebellion (Numbers 16:1–18:32). Korah the Levite rises up against Moses and Aaron; why did they place themselves above the rest of Israel, all of whom are holy? (Numbers 16:3) Korah’s complaint...

Jun 20, 2025, 6:40 PM

From Burning Synagogue to Rising Lion

This week's Torah reading, found in Numbers 13:1–14:45, recounts the episode of the spies. Twelve men, one from each tribe of Israel, were sent by Moses to reconnoiter the Promised Land of Canaan (Numbers 13:1–2). God had promised Israel...

Jun 13, 2025, 1:38 PM

Delegating Down to the Transcendent

This week’s Torah reading, Beha’alotcha (Numbers 8:1–12:16), unites two themes in an astounding episode: the idea of redemption—second chances—and the idea of delegation—that decision-making moves up or down from the top to the grassroots. The episode is unique. At their...

Jun 4, 2025, 7:42 AM

The Priestly Benediction: Radiance and Convergence

This week’s parsha, Naso, includes the Priestly Benediction. Hebrew: יְבָרֶכְךָ יְהוָה וְיִשְׁמְרֶךָ יָאֵר יְהוָה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וִיחֻנֶּךָ יִשָּׂא יְהוָה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וְיָשֵׂם לְךָ שָׁלוֹם English: May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to...

May 30, 2025, 12:25 PM

Numbers: Stand and Be Counted

This week's Torah reading is the commencement of the book of Numbers (as it is called in English – in Hebrew it is Bamidbar, “In the Desert”). The passages really are full of numbers. Leviticus contained many listings –...

May 23, 2025, 6:07 PM

Leviticus: Redemption as Return, Redemption as Ascent

Leviticus affirms the sanctity of life, presenting a divine order where existence is inherently good and structured. God instructs the Israelites to build the Tabernacle with precision (Exodus 25:8–9), and their enthusiastic donations of labor and materials reflect their...

May 16, 2025, 7:31 AM

Leviticus Unto this Day

“There has never been a prophet like Moses until this day” (Deuteronomy 34:10). Inspired by that expression, until this day, let us ask how much of Leviticus still inspires life in modern Israel “until this day” I will look at aspects...

May 9, 2025, 1:52 PM

Leviticus, the Chosen and the Fourth Order

This week’s Torah reading, Acharei Mot-Kedoshim, brings us to the part of Leviticus known as the “Holiness Code.” In enjoining Israel to be a holy nation, a nation of priests, how does Leviticus view that role in the context...

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About Me

Bryan Schwartz has a doctoral degree in law from Yale, decades of experience as a universitity professor, has received a King's Counsel designation as a practising lawyer, and is a musical theatre composer and songwriter., In June of 2025 he received a rabbinical ordination from the Jewish Theological seminary. He has written or edited thirty six books and authored over three hundrled publications in all. For more information about Bryan’s legal and academic work, please visit: https://bryan-schwartz.com/. For his musical and Judaica productions, please visit thesacredgoof.com

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