Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson

Shavuot: A Link to God

Published on May 6, 2004

"Why is the festival of Shavuot called 'The time of the giving of our Torah' and not the time of the receiving of our Torah? Because the giving of the Torah happened at one specified time, but the receiving of the Torah happens at every time and in every generation. -- Rabbi Meir Alter of Ger"

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Dear Rabbi

Published on May 22, 2003

Dear Rabbi

Dear Rabbi

Published on March 6, 2003

Dear Rabbi, a column where readers ask questions and the rabbi answers.

Why Be Jewish?

Published on September 5, 2002

What is the nature of the struggle for Jewish continuity? What is it that the Jewish community is trying to sustain, and why should we bother?

Dear Rabbi

Published on January 24, 2002

Dear Rabbi

Dear Rabbi

Published on January 10, 2002

Letters to Dear Rabbi.

Dear Rabbi

Published on July 5, 2001

Dear Rabbi

Dear Rabbi

Published on May 10, 2001

Dear Rabbi.

Dear Rabbi

Published on April 12, 2001

Dear Rabbi

Dear Rabbi

Published on March 29, 2001

I have been taking on new mitzvot throughout the past years. I have begun wearing tzitzit regularly and have been working at becoming stricter concerning Shabbat.

Is Observance Fanaticism?

Published on March 1, 2001

Although I was raised Jewish, attended Hebrew school and became a bar mitzvah, my family was not particularly observant. At some point, my father -- the grandson of Orthodox rabbis -- became less and less involved in Jewish life, except during holidays and yahrtzeits.

On Being Targeted

Published on August 19, 1999

In the light of this pernicious and ever-present danger, Abbahu's Talmudic advice revealed the illusory nature of our being different.

The Mitzvah of Tzedakah

Published on February 18, 1999

On the surface, the mitzvah of tzedakah, the commandment to give, is a very simple one. Deuteronomy says, "If there is a needy person among you, don't harden your heart, don't shut your hand against your needy kin.

Commentary

Published on August 27, 1998

One of the most remarkable stories in the Bible is the deathbed scene of King David. The aged monarch, ready to hand over the rule of his kingdom, speaks to his son, the future King Solomon, about what Solomon ought to do after David has died. Trained as we are to expect the Bible to reflect love, forgiveness and compassion, it is shocking to read what David actually tells his son. Rather than instructing Solomon to start with a clean slate, to forgive everybody, to forget the wrongs that have been done to the monarchy, King David recounts a laundry list of those people who have offended the monarchy and harmed the nation. He bids his son to see that they don't escape retribution.

Community

Published on June 11, 1998

"This is a story about my brother, Moriel. Moriel has autism.