Darchei Noam דרכי נועם

I dedicate this Dvar Torah to the upcoming wedding tomorrow of our son Oren to Fay Gamliel. We pray that Oren and Fay are embarking on the building of a Bayit Ne’eman b’Yisrael , a pleasant home among the Jewish people. This week’s parsha of Vayera is chock-full of familiar stories and serious dilemmas: it starts with the visit of three angels to Avraham’s tent immediately following his brit mila at age 99, and their promise to him and to Sarah that despite their advanced age

Two weeks ago Joram asked me if I was willing to do this dvar, believing that I could whip one up quickly. I let it be known, I can’t! and he added “no pressure, not to worry, Rabbi is the default.” While connecting to Haazinu, I looked back at Nitzavim and Vayeilech. They all seem to address different aspects of how to respond during times of transition. Within each parsha, I discovered important life lessons: Nitzavim regarding the future, Vayeilech, the present, and Haazin

October 25, 2025 ~ 3 rd  day Cheshvan, 5786 I would like to dedicate this Dvar Torah in memory of my father-in-law, my mother-in-law and my parents. May their Neshamot, each have an Aliya. The following is abstracted from an interesting analysis in the book, Unlocking the Torah Text: Bereishit  by Rabbi Shmuel Goldin. (Gefen, 2007) I would like to lead you through several passages in the text. A series of small textual variations appear. The Torah describes the entry of Noach

In Parshat Bereshit, we read about the creation of the world. In philosophical terms we often think of God creating something from nothing. But that is not what the Torah says. Quoting the Stone Chumash, “In the beginning of God’s creating the heavens and the earth, when the earth was astonishingly empty with darkness upon the surface of the deep, and the Divine presence hovered upon the surface of the waters. God said let there be light.”  So, before God began creating light