Torah Archives - David M. Weinberg

Let the lion lie with the lamb

March 26, 2021

Minimal Israeli national unity, or simple political sanity, must override a pull toward the extremes. Unless the Islamists of Raam can lie with the “Hardal-ists” of Religious Zionism, Binyamin Netanyahu has no government. Unless the left wingers of Meretz and Labor can lie with the right wingers of Yamina, the anybody-but-Bibi camp has no government...

Israeli Wine Triumphs: Siman Muvhak min haShamayim

March 22, 2021

The success of Israel's wine industry is what Jewish tradition calls a siman muvhak, an undeniable, stark sign of support from the Heavens. A trio of wine articles for Pesach.

Fourteen favorite books of 2020

January 22, 2021

My third annual list of best books on Israeli and Jewish matters, ranging from diplomacy and history to Torah commentary.

The theology of Rabbi Sacks

November 13, 2020

Rather than elaborate on the incredible achievements and wide influence of the late, great, erudite and eloquent Rabbi Sacks, I offer a primer on his theology: His key concerns, beliefs, and recipes for a better future.

Modern ushpizin in my sukkah

October 2, 2020

Seven days of virtual Sukkot guests, debating Jewish life and world affairs, including: MBZ of the UAE, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, Natan Sharansky, Rebbe Nachman and the Lubavitcher Rebbe, two top corona experts, two top (and opposing) justices of the Israeli Supreme Court, Rabbis Yeshayahu Heber, Nachum Eliezer Rabinovich, and Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz; and Rabbanit Miriam Levinger.

Charity keeps society sane

September 11, 2020

At this time of coronavirus uncertainty and all its attendant ills – which threaten to overwhelm Israeli, indeed global society, this winter – giving some tzedaka can have many rewards. “To ease another’s heartache is to forget one’s own.”

Would we be worthy

July 31, 2020

Rabbi Haim Sabato's elegy for Tisha Be'Av, mourning Israel's loss of national unity and moral priorities, translated here into English for the first time. He terms our current situation keter evion, a “pauper’s crown,” meaning sunk to rock bottom. Rav Sabato blames not only our politicians, but cultural leaders and educators too.

Maimonides in Maaleh Adumim

June 5, 2020

A tribute to Rabbi Dr. Nachum Eliezer Rabinovich zt"l, who passed away on May 6. He passionately believed that every Jew ought to move to Israel, because the Divine drama playing out here was an incredible opportunity to rebuild the Jewish People.

Uncertain, scary world

March 20, 2020

The capriciousness and vulnerabilities of life teach us humility, moral responsibility and reliance on G-d. Lessons from the corona crisis.

Best books of 2019

January 24, 2020

Seventeen recommended new books on Israeli and Jewish matters – on fighting antisemitism, Israel-Diaspora relations, defense policy, Jewish history, prayer, Talmud, Bible and more. Books by Annika Henroth-Rothstein, Asael Abelman, Bari Weiss, Daniel Gordis, Haim Sabato, Jack Wertheimer, Reuven Bulka, Ronen Bergman, Shalom Rosner, Shmuel Rosner, Simcha Rothman, Tevi Troy, Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, Uri Brilliant, Yaakov Katz, Yeshayahu Hadari z”l and Yoni Grossman.

Category: Torah