Read & Listen

The Torah begins, and the curtain rises on creation. The first chapter of Genesis is the magnificent overture to the great drama of human life and striving that will ensue.

Rabbi Jonathan Kligler · 02 No'akh| Insights from the Weekly Torah Portion

“Why does the Torah say that Noah was a righteous man (צַדִּיק tzaddik) in his generation? If he was a tzaddik, would he not be so no matter what generation he was born into? Why did it not simply say ‘Noah was a righteous, wholehearted man?’"

Rabbi Jonathan Kligler · 01 Bereishit Insights from the Weekly Torah Portion Handouts and Resources: On How to Read Torah In the Beginning Zohar 1,15a Kabballah Tree of Life

The Torah begins, and the curtain rises on creation. The first chapter of Genesis is the magnificent overture to the great drama of human life and striving that will ensue.

On Erev Rosh Hashanah Rabbi Jonathan shared Rabbi Angela Buchdahl’s teaching about the krekhtz - the sigh. Long a feature of Jewish culture, the krekhtz is also a benefit to our emotional, spiritual and physical well being. Enjoy!

In this talk, Rabbi Jonathan honors the work and world-changing legacy of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, delves into the Jewish values that shaped her, and describes how her life can serve as inspiration to all of us.

Reflecting on the Torah portion that is read on the first day of Rosh Hashanah, Rabbi Jonathan compares Hagar’s anguish as her young son Ishmael is dying of thirst to that of Black mothers today who know they also cannot protect their sons from the violence of a racist society. In the Torah, God hears the boy’s cry and protects him; today it is up to us to respond to and undo the injustices of systemic racism.

Rabbi Jonathan Kligler · Spiritual Preparation for the New Year 09032020 GEMATRIOT 5781

Read the original open letter, published on June 25, 2020.