Torah Commentary

Priests are just like Jews, only more so

By Rabbi Sanford H. Shudnow Special to WJW This week’s Torah portion is Emor, Leviticus 21:1 - 24:23. Emor is known more for its list of Jewish...

Making an appointment with God ‘anytime’

By Rabbi Marc Israel Special to WJW This week’s Torah portion is Acharei Mot-Kedoshim, Leviticus 16:1 - 20:27. Back when we were able to visit in one...

Can kashrut return to its ecological beginnings?

By Rabbi Josh Jacobs-Velde Special to WJW This week’s Torah reading is Shemini, Leviticus 9:1 - 11:47. When I became observant in my early 20s (I’m now...

Singing the Song of the Sea… again

By Rabbi Neil Tow Special to WJW Every Friday night, as Shabbat comes in, we sing Shiru L’Adonai Shir Chadash (Psalm 96) “Sing to God a...

A moonlit morning & gentle possibilities for freedom — a poetic approach

By Rabbi Daria Jacobs-Velde Special to WJW Passover begins on Saturday at sunset. Day 1 I awoke early this morning. My body contemplated the possibility of returning to...

Why Leviticus can bring us closer

By Rabbi Lia Bass Special to WJW This week’s Torah portion is Vayikra, Leviticus 1:1 - 5:26. I love the Book of Leviticus. It contains many important...

A model for sacred reopening

By Rabbi Jill Levy Special to WJW This week’s Torah portion is Vayakhel-Pekudei, Exodus 35:1-40:38. In 2017, Hurricane Harvey flooded 10 feet of water into the basement...

What’s God like?

By Bill Dauster Special to WJW This week’s Torah portion is Ki Tisa, Exodus 30:11–34:35. What is God like? In this week’s Torah reading, after the Israelites’...