blogs/rabbi-huberman

     Parashat Yayera

    Leaving God Behind

It doesn’t take long in this week’s Torah portion for Jewish tradition to make an important theological point.

God does not play, “Let’s make a deal.”

Of course, it is natural, when trouble hits, that we direct prayers to heaven—and declare—“God if you get me through...Read more...

     Simchat Noach

    Democracy as a Jewish Practice

On April 2, 1982, President Ronald Reagan signed a proclamation declaring a “National Day of Reflection,” in honor of the Torah’s “Seven Commandments.”

Yes, the Seven Commandments. Reagan correctly termed them the Noahide Laws, defining that list as “a moral code for all of us,...Read more...

     Shabbat Sukkot

    Sukkot and the Tenements

One day in 1907, my maternal grandfather, Nissan, 19, walked off a boat in Quebec City and was thrust into the modern world. 

He was born and raised in a small Russian village—a perilous world where Jews were often targets of persecution and discrimination. But here he was in a new land,...Read more...

     Parashat: Ki Teitzei

     "The King is in the Field"

An incident that occurred about three years ago, while Patte and I were on vacation, continues to haunt me.

In ancient times, it was common for leaders to stroll, unannounced, among the people.

The Torah describes kings like Jehoshaphat and Melchizadek spontaneously...Read more...

Parashat: Re'eh

“See, this day, I set before you blessing and curse.” (Deuteronomy 11:26)

Is Life a Blessing or a Curse?

Good morning, or good afternoon, or good evening.

What kind of day are you having?

Are you tired, alert, cynical, full of joy or just “meh?”

Are you convinced the world is out to get you, or are you filled...Read more...