Rabbi Steven Weil

Full circle

Published on October 12, 2006

My daughter, the animal lover, has a father who isn't. A hamster is the biggest pet I've gotten talked into so far. It lives in her room, and basically I wouldn't even know it was there except for one thing -- it's nocturnal.

The Ultimate Enigma

Published on July 6, 2006

There is logic to honoring one's parents. There is a rationale for not stealing or murdering. But for purification in a ruddy, bovine shower, why would God ask such a thing of us?

I'll be honest with you. I don't know. But neither did King Solomon, the wisest of men. It seems that this is part of the definition of a chok, that its raison d'etre remains a mystery.

Sacrifices Address Emotion of Guilt

Published on April 6, 2006

Offering a korban (from the word karov, to come close) is a hands-on project.

But this very human need is not given free rein; rather, the offering of sacrifices is governed by strict regulations, in order that we tangibly relate to God in a true, proper way.

Should We Shun 80 Million Friends of Israel?

Published on September 25, 2003

One of the more unusual characters in Jewish literature appears in the Book of Esther.

Divine Judgment

Published on January 30, 2003

Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik, known as the Rav to his many thousands of students, takes exception to the usual distinction many make between the chukim (decrees) and the mishpatim (judgments). Usually, some think that chukim are nonrational laws, while the mishpatim are rational, easy-to-understand, logical laws. The Rav finds that even the mishpatim are as much pure abstract, and not necessarily explainable laws, rooted in the divine will as are the chukim.

To illustrate this idea, the Rav asked, "Which law would you say is the most logical?" Usually the answer would be lo tirtzach (don't murder). Everyone knows that this is a logical law, without which society couldn't exist.

The Price We Pay

Published on November 21, 2002

Jacob spent 20 long years in the home of his father-in-law, Laban, before he could return to the land of Canaan, his home and homeland.

Ethics and Warfare

Published on August 15, 2002

This week's Torah portion opens with a fascinating topic: the psyche of a soldier at war, and the ethical boundaries that even a soldier must observe.

Remembering Jerusalem

Published on July 11, 2002

Jerusalem, in her pinnacle of glory, was the center of wisdom and Divine service.