David Harbater, at The Blogs

Sep 5, 2024, 3:56 PM

Shoftim—Dealing with the Fear of Dying in Combat

One of the greatest primal fears is the fear of death, and it is this fear that soldiers must overcome when they are called upon to fight in wars against their enemies. Thus, in this week’s Torah portion—Parashat Shoftim—we are...

Sep 5, 2024, 3:54 PM

Dealing with the Fear of Dying in Combat

Sep 2, 2024, 11:49 AM

Why I decided to join the protests demanding a deal for the hostages

A little over a month ago I posted an article in which I presented arguments both in favor and against a deal with Hamas, without taking a personal stance on this heart-rending dilemma ( And since I was uncertain...

Aug 29, 2024, 10:31 AM

Why are some animals kosher while others are not?

While the Torah does not generally provide reasons for the mitzvot, the Rambam (Maimonides) asserts that it is appropriate for a person to reflect on the Torah's laws and seek to understand their ultimate purpose, as much as possible...

Aug 22, 2024, 10:32 PM

Transforming tragedy into a learning experience

Beautiful flower growing out of crack in asphalt, space for text. Hope concept

The 40 years of wandering in the desert is one of the greatest tragedies that we suffered as a people in biblical times. The direct cause of this tragedy, as is told in Numbers 13-14, is the sin of...

Aug 12, 2024, 4:01 PM

The eve of Tisha B’Av – then vs. now

On the eve of this Tisha B’Av, Israel is on the highest state of alert as the country braces for the much-expected attack from Hezbollah and/or Iran which may then lead to an all-out regional war. Flights to and...

Aug 8, 2024, 3:55 PM

“Eicha” as both a question and an exclamation

This coming week, on Tisha B’Av, we will read Megillat Eicha – the Book of Lamentations – and this Shabbat we will read the haftarah from Isaiah chapter 1 as well as the parasha, Parashat Devarim (Deuteronomy), that both...

Jul 31, 2024, 9:26 PM

We must never stop marching forward

Just as the people of Israel arrived at the border of the Land of Israel, in the steppes of Moab, at the Jordan near Jericho, the Torah in Parashiot Matot-Masei that we read this week presents a summary list...

Jul 26, 2024, 11:21 AM

Grappling with heart-rending dilemmas—Then and now

There are times when we are forced to grapple with moral dilemmas of such epic proportions that what we decide in the end may have consequences for years and even generations to come. Such was the dilemma facing Phinehas...

Jul 19, 2024, 8:48 AM

What Balaam and Blinken have in common—withholding the facts

Parashat Balak that we read this week tells how, after witnessing the overwhelming victory of the people of Israel over the Amorites, Balak, the king of Moab, was afraid that he and his people would be next. But instead...

About Me

Rabbi Dr. David Harbater's recently published book "In the Beginnings: Discovering the Two Worldviews Hidden within Genesis 1-11" is available on Amazon and at book stores around Israel and the US. He teaches Bible and Jewish thought at Midreshet Torah V'Avodah, at the Amudim Seminary, and at the Women's Beit Midrash of Efrat. Make sure to follow him on Facebook and LinkedIn for more interesting content. https://www.facebook.com/Rabbi.Dr.David.Harbater https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-harbater-07425951/?originalSubdomain=il

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