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Nov 6, 2026, 6:04 PM

Isaac and Prayer (Chayei Sarah, Covenant & Conversation)

One scene in this week’s sedra has left a mark on Jewish law. Abraham has sent his servant to find a wife for Isaac. He finds Rebecca, and brings her back with him. The first glimpse she has of...

Oct 30, 2026, 4:36 AM

The Music of Ambivalence (Vayera, Covenant & Conversation)

The Torah does not have a word for ambivalence (the nearest is Elijah’s question to the Baal-worshipping Israelites: “How long will you waver between two opinions?”). It does, however, have a tune for it. This is the rare note...

Michael Feldstein

Oct 29, 2026, 8:16 PM

What Would Rabbi Sacks Have Said?

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks (RabbiSacks.org)

Lord Rabbi Jonathan Sacks passed away on November 7, 2020 at the age of 72. Many of us like myself who religiously read all his books and divrei Torah and eagerly listened to his speeches have experienced an enormous...

Oct 22, 2026, 9:36 PM

The Heroism of Ordinary Life (Lech Lecha)

Written by Rabbi Sacks in 2007 The Lord said to Abram: ‘Go – from your land, your birthplace, and your father’s house – to the land that I will show you. (Gen. 12:1)’ These words are among the most consequential in...

Oct 16, 2026, 7:24 PM

A Story of Heaven and Earth (Noach, Covenant & Conversation)

Written by Rabbi Sacks in 2007 Set between the pre-history of humanity as a whole and the particular covenant with Abraham, the story of the Tower of Babel is one of the turning points of the biblical narrative, central to...

Oct 8, 2026, 3:47 AM

Beginning Again With Dignity and Destiny

Parshat Bereishit always feels like more than the first parsha of the year. After Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot, it is the moment when inspiration has to become rhythm. We begin again, not only by reading the Torah from...

Oct 6, 2026, 3:41 PM

Inner Lights Throughout a Year: Art Dialogues

Hanukkah. Dialogue. Watercolour, oil pastel, wax pastel, pigments, Luminance Caran d’Ache, perle le blanc on authored original archival print on cotton paper. 2024-2026.

Presentation of Inner Lights: Jewish Year art collection featuring artistic interpretations of an annual circle of Jewish holidays Part 2 of 3 Part I can be read here. From Shemini Atzeret to the New Year for Trees Continuing the presentation of new Inner...

Rafi Addlestone

Oct 1, 2026, 5:50 PM

What Jonah knew that the climate movement doesn’t

Warnings only work when the fix is cheap, or the moral argument has been won. It's an odd thing to read on the holiest day of the year. Yom Kippur afternoon, the flattest hour, everyone tired and hungry and the...

Sep 15, 2026, 12:41 AM

She-asani Yisrael: A Reform Jew’s Case for Particularism

2026 “Israel Day on 5th” parade in New York, NY (photo credit: Julia Bennett)

I used to think liturgy, at least within the Reform movement, was pretty much set. Perhaps, over time, a word or phrase here or there might change according to our modern sensibilities, but the overall meanings and messages of...

Sep 4, 2026, 4:57 AM

To Renew Our Days (Nitzavim-Vayelech, Covenant & Conversation)

The moment had come. Moses was about to die. He had seen his sister Miriam and brother Aaron pre-decease him. He had prayed to God – not to live forever, not even to live longer, but simply, ‘Please let...

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