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Divrei Torah

  • Shalom and Welcome to our Divrei Torah page. In true Reconstructionist egalitarian fashion our contributors include rabbis, cantors, students and lay leaders, scholars and artists- all committed to the exploration of tradition and contemporary Jewish life. Notice how the current portion is bolded and has an arrow next to it. Also the upcoming holiday is also highlighted. In the section below the current portion or holiday you will find the Divrei Torah resource bank. Do not click on the author's name below- rather click on the name of the parshah to the left of the page to access the text.
    • We hope these words of Torah bring you to a more meaningful, intellectually and spiritually inspired relationship with our sacred texts.
    Bereyshit
    (Genesis)     		Shemot
    (Exodus)    		 Vayikra
    (Leviticus)    		 Bemidbar
    (Numbers)         		Devarim
    (Deuteronomy)    		 Haggim
    (Holidays)
    Bereyshit
    No'ah
    Leh-Leha
    Vayera
    Hayey Sarah
    Toldot
    Vayetzey
    Vayishlah
    Vayeshev
    Miketz
    Vayigash
    Vayhi
    		 Shemot
    Va'era
    Bo
    Beshalah
    Yitro
    Mishpatim
    Terumah
    Tetzaveh
    Ki Tisa
    Vayakhel-Pekudey
    		 Vayikra
    Tzav
    Shemini
    Tazri'a-Metzora
    Aharey Mot-Kedoshim
    Emor
    Behar-Behukotay
    		 Bemidbar
    Naso
    Beha'aloteha
    Shelah
    Korah
    Hukat
    Balak
    Pinhas
    Matot-Masey
    		 Devarim
    Va'ethanan
    Ekev
    Re'eh
    Shoftim
    Ki Tetzey
    Ki Tavo
    Nitzavim-Vayeleh
    Ha'azinu
    		 Rosh Hashanah
    Yom Kippur
    Sukkot
    Shemini Atzeret
    Simchat Torah
    Hanukah
    Tu b'Shvat
    Purim
    Pesah
    Lag b'Omer
    Shavuot
    Tisha b'Av

     Terumah February 20, ' 10
    Blueprint for a Full Jewish LifeRabbi Jeffrey Schein5/7/03
    The Golden Calf and the MishkanRabbi Steven Pik-Nathan4/10/03
    God is the Architect, We Are the BuildersRabbi Howard Cohen5/14/02
    Building the TabernacleRabbi Howard Cohen1/1/01
    Do you want to be a millionaire?Rabbi Lewis Eron4/2/00

     Tetzaveh February 27, ' 10
    A D'var Torah for Parashat Tetzaveh Eric Mendelsohn3/2/09
    Dress of the High Priest had Deep Meanings Ellen Dannin3/1/07
    Forever is Forever Ellen Dannin2/2/05
    Creating Sacred SpaceRabbi Elizabeth Bolton7/4/03
    On Holding High Jewish Office: Do Clothes Make the Man?Rabbi Jeffrey Schein5/7/03
    Why Moses Did Not Become a PriestRabbi Steven Pik-Nathan2/17/03
    Connecting the Ner Tamid and AmalekRabbi Steven Pik-Nathan5/12/02
    Purification Before Performing RitualsRabbi Howard Cohen5/12/02

     Purim February 28, ' 10
    Unpacking Amalek Elaine Moise4/8/08
    Four Lessons We Learn from PurimRabbi Elliott Tepperman2/23/07
    Purim's Messianic MessageRabbi Lewis Eron2/24/06
    Let's Reconstruct Purim to Become a Celebration of Feminism Barbara Carr3/21/05
    A Time to Challenge DistinctionsRabbi Steve Segar1/1/05
    A Reflection on PowerRabbi Lewis Eron3/11/03
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     Ki Tisa March 6, ' 10
    Trying to Limit the Divine - the Sin of the Golden CalfRabbi Lewis Eron2/22/05
    Grounded Engagement Connects Us To Infinite Joy Ellen Dannin1/30/05
    The Torah as Puzzle: You Can Rearrange the PartsRabbi Jeffrey Schein4/11/03
    Two Sides of the Golden CalfRabbi Steven Pik-Nathan4/10/03
    The Promise of ForgivenessRabbi Lewis Eron2/13/03
    DualismRabbi Howard Cohen5/20/02

     Vayakhel-Pekudey March 13, ' 10
    Journeying From the Personal to the Communal James Greene3/8/05
    Capacity to Receive is A Limited ResourceRabbi Shai Gluskin3/2/05
    The Giving Heart of the "Gangs of Washington"Rabbi Jeffrey Schein4/11/03
    Vision is Important in Guiding Our WorkRabbi Jeffrey Schein4/11/03
    ShadowsRabbi Steven Pik-Nathan4/10/03
    Reconstructing the Prohibitions of ShabbatRabbi Steven Pik-Nathan2/28/03
    The Greatest MiracleRabbi Lewis Eron5/14/02
    Our Appointed TasksRabbi Lewis Eron1/1/99

     Vayikra March 20, ' 10
    Unpacking Amalek Elaine Moise4/8/08
    Drawing Close to Sacrifice Ellen Dannin3/13/05
    Our Words And Prayers Are All We Need To Connect With The DivineRabbi Rachel Esserman3/10/05
    Shabbat Zahor -- Reconstructing Amalek Via HasidismRabbi Shawn Zevit3/9/05
    Where Does the Spirit of Sacrifice Take Us?Rabbi Jeffrey Schein4/11/03
    StructureRabbi Steven Pik-Nathan3/23/03
    Insights from LeviticusRabbi Howard Cohen5/20/02
    Leviticus - A Spiritual GuidebookRabbi Lewis Eron3/18/00
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     Tzav March 27, ' 10
    Family at the Root of Passover Commandments Aaron Seidman3/29/07
    The Ascending HeartRabbi Jeffrey Schein4/11/03
    Olah, Zevach Shelamim and IraqRabbi Steven Pik-Nathan3/21/03
    The Thanksgiving OfferingRabbi Lewis Eron1/1/99

     Pesah March 30, ' 10
    The Tension Between Law and Redemption on PassoverRabbi Shai Gluskin3/30/07
    Family at the Root of Passover Commandments Aaron Seidman3/29/07
    Circles and CyclesRabbi Steven Pik-Nathan4/9/04
    The Miracle of FreedomRabbi Emanuel S. Goldsmith4/25/03

     Shemini April 10, ' 10
    And God Blessed Nadav and Abihu Ellen Dannin3/23/08
    Strange Fire ... a Midrashic Reconstruction on Nadav and AvihuRabbi Steven Pik-Nathan4/11/03
    Respecting BoundariesRabbi Howard Cohen5/20/02
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     Tazri'a-Metzora April 17, ' 10
    Sins of Emission? Ellen Dannin4/9/08
    Sickness, Separation and Openings Ellen Dannin4/15/07
    Does Historical Accuracy of Religious Texts Matter? Aaron Seidman4/13/03
    Finding Healing in SeparationRabbi Steven Pik-Nathan4/11/03
    Tzara'at and ImpurityRabbi Steven Pik-Nathan4/4/03
    Reconstructing Biblical Views on Impurity Following Childbirth Ellen Dannin5/20/02
    Tzara'at and SelfishnessRabbi Howard Cohen5/20/02
    Illness: Banishment or Empathy?Rabbi Lewis Eron4/2/00

     Aharey Mot-Kedoshim April 24, ' 10
    What Ethical and Moral Standards to We Need Today? Nathan Weissler5/1/08
    Comparing Conservative and Reconstructionist Approaches in Dealing with Leviticus' Prohibition on Male-Male Sex Syd Nestel4/16/07
    Between Death and Death Ellen Dannin4/18/05
    WholinessRabbi Steven Pik-Nathan4/30/04
    Blood Ellen Dannin4/21/03
    Shabbat HaGadolRabbi Howard Cohen5/20/02
    WarningsRabbi Howard Cohen5/20/02
    Ethical MitzvotRabbi Steven Pik-Nathan4/18/02

     Emor May 1, ' 10
    Collection of Brief Comments/Art from a TorahQuest EncounterRabbi Shai Gluskin5/7/05
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     Behar-Behukotay May 8, ' 10
    Thinking, Speaking, and Acting: the Braid of Social Responsibility Gregory Millas6/23/04
    Walking in God's WaysRabbi Steven Pik-Nathan5/22/03
    Blessings and CursesRabbi Lewis Eron5/20/02
    What is 'Herem" (Proscribed)?Rabbi Howard Cohen5/20/02
    PovertyRabbi Howard Cohen5/29/00
    "If You Follow My Laws..."Rabbi Howard Cohen5/27/00
    LandRabbi Richard Hirsh1/1/98

     Bemidbar May 15, ' 10
    Nachshon ben AminadavRabbi Steven Pik-Nathan9/10/03
    MarriageRabbi Howard Cohen5/12/02

     Shavuot May 19, ' 10
    Ruth, the First ConvertRabbi Richard Hirsh1/1/98
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     Naso May 22, ' 10
    Holy IsolationRabbi Howard Cohen6/16/00
    The True HonorRabbi Lewis Eron6/12/00
    The NaziriteRabbi Richard Hirsh1/1/98

     Beha'aloteha May 29, ' 10
    MiriamRabbi Steven Pik-Nathan6/21/02
    The Hidden MeaningRabbi Howard Cohen6/1/00
    Be Careful What You Wish ForRabbi David Stein1/1/99
    Just A Little Prayer Will DoRabbi Lewis Eron1/1/99

     Shelah June 5, ' 10
    The Reminder of TzitzitRabbi Steven Pik-Nathan6/21/02
    TzitzitRabbi Richard Hirsh1/1/98
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     Korah June 12, ' 10
    Destruction and CreationRabbi Steven Pik-Nathan6/17/04
    Why Did Korah Rebel?Rabbi Elizabeth Bolton7/3/03
    LeadershipRabbi Steven Pik-Nathan6/23/02
    What is "community"?Rabbi Howard Cohen5/12/02
    Who Has the Authority to Change Judaism?Rabbi Richard Hirsh1/1/98

     Hukat June 19, ' 10
    The Red Heifer Ellen Dannin5/12/02
    The Well of Tradition and Miriam's WellRabbi Lewis Eron6/12/00
    On Being A Paradox JewRabbi Michael Cohen1/1/00

     Balak June 26, ' 10
    A Curse Turned Blessing Ellen Dannin7/15/03
    Balaam Recognizes the One GodRabbi Richard Hirsh1/1/98
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     Pinhas July 3, ' 10
    The Tragedy of PinhasRabbi Candy Lobb7/18/03
    EgalitarianismRabbi Steven Pik-Nathan6/30/02
    The World of SilenceRabbi Howard Cohen8/10/00
    Transitioning LeadershipRabbi Richard Hirsh1/1/98

     Matot-Masey July 10, ' 10
    Personalizing the Epic NarrativeRabbi Lewis Eron7/2/07
    The Importance of Re-Reading TorahRabbi Richard Hirsh1/1/98

     Devarim July 17, ' 10
    "Rav Lakh"Rabbi Steven Pik-Nathan7/21/02
    Shabbat HazonRabbi Richard Hirsh1/1/99
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     Tisha b'Av July 20, ' 10
    The Modern Meaning of Tisha b'AvRabbi Lewis Eron5/14/02

     Va'ethanan July 24, ' 10
    The Ten Commandments David Stern8/5/03
    Tisha B'AvRabbi Elizabeth Bolton7/4/03
    "It Reached No Further"Rabbi Howard Cohen8/11/00
    Our Sustaining HopeRabbi Lewis Eron8/10/00
    Shabbat NahamuRabbi Richard Hirsh1/1/99

     Ekev July 31, ' 10
    Living the Good Life Ellen Dannin7/30/07
    Rewards and BlessingRabbi Lewis Eron10/1/02
    "If I were a rich man..."Rabbi Lewis Eron1/1/99
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     Re'eh August 7, ' 10
    "Be Happy!" Eric Mendelsohn9/1/03

     Shoftim August 14, ' 10
    Examining Justifications for the State of Israel Syd Nestel8/26/06
    Ancient DebateRabbi Candy Lobb8/29/03
    Think Like a Lawyer Ellen Dannin8/27/03
    Melech Ha-Olam, Sovereign of AllRabbi Lewis Eron1/1/98

     Ki Tetzey August 21, ' 10
    Unpacking Amalek Elaine Moise4/8/08
    Ownership of Property, Returning Lost PropertyRabbi Steven Pik-Nathan9/5/03
    Honest Weights and MeasuresRabbi Lewis Eron9/5/02
    It Just Isn't So!Rabbi Lewis Eron5/12/02
    What is the purpose of observing mitzvot?Rabbi Howard Cohen5/12/02
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     Ki Tavo August 28, ' 10
    ConsequencesRabbi Elizabeth Bolton7/4/03
    First FruitsRabbi Steven Pik-Nathan8/22/02
    Serving God in GladnessRabbi Lewis Eron1/1/99

     Nitzavim-Vayeleh September 4, ' 10
    Choose LifeRabbi Steven Pik-Nathan8/29/02
    Standing Together in CovenantRabbi Howard Cohen5/20/02
    You Should Live to Be 120Rabbi Lewis Eron1/1/99

     Rosh Hashanah September 9, ' 10
    Our Akeidah, Our Binding Ellen Dannin8/12/07
    God and People Mutually AccountableRabbi Shai Gluskin9/28/03
    Why on earth are we here?Rabbi Steven Pik-Nathan9/28/03
    Being Part of the Universe Mel Scult9/26/03
    The Akeida: Questions of Sacrifice Syd Nestel10/2/02
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     Ha'azinu September 11, ' 10
    Between a Rock and a Hard Place Ellen Dannin9/23/03

     Yom Kippur September 18, ' 10
    On Jonah and More: Getting Perspective in Order to Repent Ellen Dannin11/28/07
    Walking the Walk: The Sacred Art of Energy ConservationRabbi Brant Rosen6/13/07
    Let's Not Follow Noah's Example: A Call To ActionRabbi Laurie Zimmerman10/10/05
    Unetanah Tokef - In the Wake of the DecreeDr. Ellen Frankel10/6/05
    Eleh Ezkarah -- Sacrifice and MartyrdomRabbi Lewis Eron10/2/05
    Goat's Journey Helps Us to See OurselvesRabbi Shai Gluskin9/13/04
    Future Prayer Ellen Dannin10/3/03

     Sukkot September 23, ' 10
    Sukkot: Yom Kippur's CounterbalanceRabbi Michael Cohen1/1/00
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     Shemini Atzeret September 30, ' 10
    Taking Down the Sukkah
    Thoughts for the day after Shemini Atzeret / Simchat Torah    		Rabbi Lewis Eron1/1/99

     Simchat Torah October 1, ' 10
    Moses Died With a Promised Land Ellen Dannin7/11/02

     Bereyshit October 2, ' 10
    Hebrew Text Full of Untranslatable Resonances Ellen Dannin8/12/07
    Shabbat and HolinessRabbi Steven Pik-Nathan10/4/02
    Not "How" but "Why"Rabbi Lewis Eron10/2/02
    Kaplan on Creation: An Explanation of Jewish Mission Mel Scult5/14/02
    Malachim Ellen Dannin5/14/02
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     No'ah October 9, ' 10
    Let's Not Follow Noah's Example: A Call To ActionRabbi Laurie Zimmerman10/10/05
    The Computer of BabelRabbi Arthur Waskow9/1/03
    Symbolism of RainbowsRabbi Howard Cohen5/30/00

     Leh-Leha October 16, ' 10
    Avraham, Happiness, and God's Open Hand Ellen Dannin11/5/08
    Abraham and His Commitment to Judaism Martin Kalenberg1/20/06
    Abraham the WarriorRabbi Lewis Eron10/22/03
    "Be a Blessing!"Rabbi Steven Pik-Nathan9/10/03
    Being a Member of the Jewish PeopleRabbi Howard Cohen5/30/00
    "Ger" (Stranger/Convert)Rabbi Howard Cohen8/1/98

     Vayera October 23, ' 10
    Our Akeidah, Our Binding Ellen Dannin8/12/07
    Akeidat Yitzchak/Akeidat Uri Steve Masters10/30/06
    Bound FaithRabbi Steven Pik-Nathan11/14/03
    The destruction of the cities of Sodom and GomorrahRabbi Steven Pik-Nathan10/22/02
    The Sins of SodomRabbi Lewis Eron1/1/99
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     Hayey Sarah October 30, ' 10
    Abraham's Second LifeRabbi Lewis Eron10/14/07
    Sarah's Death in the Wake of the BindingRabbi Shai Gluskin11/10/06
    Filling in the Missing Pieces of Sarah's LifeRabbi Elizabeth Bolton7/4/03
    The Life of SarahRabbi Steven Pik-Nathan10/31/02
    Holy PlacesRabbi Lewis Eron11/22/00

     Toldot November 6, ' 10
    Isaac - Digger of Wells Ellen Dannin11/27/08
    Questioning Jacob's and Rebeka's BehaviorRabbi Shai Gluskin11/22/06
    Seize the Opportunity Richard Haimowitz11/25/02
    His Father's WellsRabbi Lewis Eron1/1/99

     Vayetzey November 13, ' 10
    What God Promised Ellen Dannin12/2/08
    In This Place, In This Moment Ellen Dannin11/24/06
    Connecting with the DivineRabbi Steven Pik-Nathan11/25/02
    Meeting AngelsRabbi Lewis Eron5/30/00
    The Divine PlanRabbi Howard Cohen1/1/00
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     Vayishlah November 20, ' 10
    Discarding Alien GodsRabbi Lewis Eron12/9/08
    Connecting the Dots Ellen Dannin11/28/07
    The Blessing of BrothersRabbi Steven Pik-Nathan12/1/06
    The Legacy of YisraelRabbi Steven Pik-Nathan1/8/03
    Wrestling with .....Rabbi Steven Pik-Nathan1/8/03
    Reconciliation and ChangeRabbi Howard Cohen12/15/00
    My Brother's KeeperRabbi Lewis Eron1/1/99

     Vayeshev November 27, ' 10
    Tamar the Hidden Ellen Dannin11/27/07
    Tamar and Judah Ellen Dannin12/18/03
    On Being ReadyRabbi Steven Pik-Nathan1/8/03
    Joseph, Part 1Rabbi Steven Pik-Nathan5/20/02
    First Born SonsRabbi Howard Cohen1/1/01

     Hanukah December 1, ' 10
    The United States of HanukahRabbi Steve Segar12/10/06
    Three ReasonsRabbi Howard Cohen12/22/00
    December and DedicationRabbi Toba Spitzer12/20/00
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     Miketz December 4, ' 10
    Joseph, the Favorite SonRabbi Elizabeth Bolton7/4/03
    Jews-By-Choice: Asenath and RuthRabbi Lewis Eron1/1/99

     Vayigash December 11, ' 10
    Desire and Fear Ellen Dannin12/26/06
    JudahRabbi Steven Pik-Nathan12/13/02
    Prophets and SagesRabbi Lewis Eron12/13/02
    United We StandRabbi Howard Cohen1/4/01
    ReconciliationRabbi Lewis Eron5/30/00

     Vayhi December 18, ' 10
    The Goal of LifeRabbi Lewis Eron12/31/06
    The Danger of Religious Fanaticism James Greene1/10/06
    Jacob's Final DreamRabbi Steven Pik-Nathan1/12/04
    Birthright and BrotherhoodRabbi Steven Pik-Nathan12/20/02
    Life Beyond DeathRabbi Lewis Eron1/1/99
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     Shemot December 25, ' 10
    Adjusting to New NarrativesRabbi Shai Gluskin1/11/07
    Being Trapped in Our Own LiesRabbi Lewis Eron1/17/06
    MosheRabbi Candy Lobb1/16/04
    Why Slavery?Rabbi Steven Pik-Nathan12/27/02
    To KnowRabbi Steven Pik-Nathan5/20/02
    "Blessed is the One Who is the Breath of Life"Rabbi Arthur Waskow1/1/98

     Va'era January 1, ' 11
    Making God Appear in Our Lives and Through Our Lives Ellen Dannin1/23/06
    What's in a name?Rabbi Steven Pik-Nathan2/2/04
    Speaking vs. ListeningRabbi Steven Pik-Nathan1/3/03
    The Other Side of Slavery Ellen Dannin1/3/03
    Moses' Double MissionRabbi Lewis Eron5/14/02
    Two Prophets on Self-DeificationRabbi Howard Cohen5/14/02

     Bo January 8, ' 11
    Redeeming God's Wrath - A Poem James Greene1/23/07
    Diversity Makes Us StrongerRabbi Brant Rosen2/2/06
    From Slavery to Freedom - For AllRabbi Elizabeth Bolton7/3/03
    Commitment and ContinuityRabbi Jeffrey Schein5/7/03
    Ad Bo-eina Shama - Until We Are There Ellen Dannin1/9/03
    Humility vs. HumiliationRabbi Steven Pik-Nathan12/13/02
    Defining BoundariesRabbi Howard Cohen5/20/02
    The Sign of CourageRabbi Lewis Eron5/30/00
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     Beshalah January 15, ' 11
    Joyful, Soulful, Prayer James Greene1/30/07
    Walking with Joseph’s Bones Ellen Dannin1/27/07
    It's Reassuring: Number of Jews Can Increase as Well as ShrinkRabbi Jeffrey Schein5/7/03
    The Singing of the OppressedRabbi Steven Pik-Nathan1/17/03
    Jewish Continuity and the origins of "Ben Hur" Eric Mendelsohn5/14/02
    Faith and DoubtRabbi Lewis Eron1/1/99
    Sinai and Mitzvot Aaron Seidman1/1/99

     Yitro January 22, ' 11
    Online Interactive Study for Parashat YitroRabbi Shai Gluskin2/8/07
    Jews Struggle with Unity, Challenges of MembershipRabbi Jeffrey Schein5/7/03
    Words of GodRabbi Steven Pik-Nathan1/23/03
    "Hearing" the "Voice" of GodRabbi Howard Cohen5/20/02

     Mishpatim January 29, ' 11
    A Vision of the God of Israel Aaron Schuman2/15/07
    Filling the Earth With God's Presence Ellen Dannin2/10/07
    Jewish Tradition and SlaveryRabbi Jeffrey Schein5/7/03
    Approaching TorahRabbi Steven Pik-Nathan1/31/03
    Ordering ChaosRabbi Howard Cohen5/14/02
    The Gift of FreedomRabbi Steven Pik-Nathan5/14/02
    Having Yourselves Been Slaves in EgyptRabbi Lewis Eron1/1/99

     

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