Parshah Columnists - Acharei-Kedoshim

Should we clone people? Is there such a thing as a life not worth living? When is it correct to go to war? But the real question is: on what biases do we answer these ethical dilemmas?

From my perspective as a family therapist, the greatest treasure in our Torah-inheritance is the instruction to free ourselves of anger and resentment...

What is the Jewish stance on cursing and curse words? I’ve heard the line that our bodies are a temple, and that defaming G‑d’s name is very bad, but what about a little curse here or there when you are really mad?

Leaving Egypt was not just a physical change in geography.

Can you simply call your struggling business colleague a “success story” and expect him to perform?

The cause of the sin was overfamiliarity with G‑d and His service.

Is it the mystic in the mountains, the monk in the monastery, or the guru in the garage? Judaism is certainly rich in spirituality; but how would it define 'holy'?

So what if he's ugly and his mother dresses him funny? His soul is pure and untainted

Hearing only half a conversation and drawing conclusions can be dangerous.

Do I need to be blind to the faults of another?

Have you ever felt like losing your temper but at the last moment you managed to restrain yourself? Inner battles of this kind are often associated with traffic wardens and similar representatives of officialdom...

The idea that the entire Torah focuses around the theme of one's relationship with other people is quite striking

"Try to reach Me but know that you really will." What a disheartening thought!

Let’s face it, not all people are pleasant. Some people leave us wondering if we should continue making time for them or focus on things we enjoy.

Some religious doctrines see marriage as a concession to human weakness. Nothing could be further from Jewish thought . . .

When "concession" is necessary for our relationship with G-d.

The devoted family, an anchorage amid confusion, is rapidly disappearing. It is time to return to the values which created bonds of respect between children and parents.

What are the implications of the Torah’s cautionary remark about sensitivity towards a blind man? Personal liability is a topic that’s already been laid out in the Torah in graphic detail, so what’s the new mitzvah that G‑d is teaching us here?

Some commandments share “verse space” with another mitzvah. It is interesting to analyze these “compound verses” to find the unifying thread. Rebuke and love . . . Love and revenge . . . Know, but remain silent . . .

The things that are kodesh, "holy," are the ordinary events and stuff of life; remaining so, but separated from undesirable elements that would dilute and weaken them.

The Talmud relates that one who came to Hillel and asked him to teach him the whole Torah whilst standing on one foot. Hillel replied 'What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. This is the whole Torah - the rest is commentary..." Why did Hillel place so much emphasis on this particular precept?

It seems there’s always so much good to say about those who have departed. But wasn’t the deceased, like all others, a human being? Did you really think that he was so perfect yesterday?

In biblical times there were numerous false gods that were popular in the ancient pagan societies, and, at times, among the Jewish people as well.

What earthly resemblance do any of these comic book characters have to me or my lifestyle?

What do you reckon the most well known Jewish expression is? In my experience, when Jews want to demonstrate some knowledge or commitment to Judaism, they trot out "Baruch Hashem" – "Thank G‑d!

I don't mean massive temples with human sacrifices. What about a civilized idolater, in the privacy of his own home? What's so terrible?

If we are a religion, then some Jews are more Jewish, others less Jewish, and many not at all. Perhaps nothing has been as detrimental to the Jewish people as the modern idea that Judaism is a religion.

How can we possibly imagine that in the conglomerate of cells, organs and limbs we call our "body", extending across the hills and valleys of the terrain we call "time", there resides a single and singular "I"?

Is it what we do, or why we do it? Do we enter life to play a part in a pre-established cosmic plan, or do we also have a role in defining the significance of our actions?

In this world that G-d made, there are no tourists--just local residents. There are no fans in the bleachers--only players on the field. No audience--just actors

Even if in actual practice, one only uses honest measures, the mere fact that he keeps with him another set of dishonest measurements already constitutes a certain duplicity of character.

Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai and the essence of Jewish mysticism

Leaders, above all, should be capable of acknowledging when and how they had erred, and how to put it right.

Moses had to contend with both sides: inducing the Israelites to do teshuvah and G-d to exercise forgiveness.

Understanding two different approaches to a single verse: the social vs. the interpersonal.

What are we? What makes us Jewish? This has been one of the persisting debates about Jewish life ever since the nineteenth century.

Living with ALS, there were countless times that I had to be saved on Shabbat.