Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz

Parashat Mishpatim: Finding Divine Majesty in the Mundane: The Teachings of Parashat Mishpatim Parashat Mishpatim, following the awe-inspiring revelation at Sinai, stands in stark contrast to what might have been expected. After the spiritual climax at Sinai, where the People of Israel experienced the divine presence, the Torah immediately shifts focus to legal matters. The

Parashat Yitro: Beyond Hierarchy: Moses’ Vision of an Equal Israel When Moses takes on the leadership of the People of Israel, he faces the daunting task of managing a nation of over 600,000 people. Despite his upbringing in Pharaoh’s palace, where he gained insight into statecraft, Moses did not initially implement an efficient judicial system.

Parashat Beshalach: From the Red Sea to the Wilderness: Rav Adin Steinsaltz on Faith, Miracles, and the Ordinary In Parashat Beshalacḥ and Yitro, two pivotal events in the Jewish journey—the splitting of the Red Sea and the giving of the Torah—set the stage for a profound spiritual transformation. The splitting of the sea is not

Parashat Bo: The Power of the First: Lessons from the Plague of the Firstborn The plague of the firstborn, the climactic event of Parashat Bo, is not merely a devastating punishment but a profound statement on the spiritual significance of “the first.” The firstborn, both in Egyptian society and in the Torah’s narrative, symbolize primacy,

Parashat Va’era: Pharaoh’s Transformation: Lessons in Resistance and Remorse​ The current Parashot, particularly through Parashat Beshallaĥ, center on the protracted confrontation between God and Pharaoh. While Moses fulfills his role as God’s emissary with clarity, it is Pharaoh’s complex character that captivates our attention, reflecting a deeper exploration of human nature. Despite enduring the ten

Parashat Shemot: The Exile and Redemption Mindsets The Torah’s shift from the individual stories in Genesis to the collective narrative in Exodus highlights a key theme in Jewish thought: the tension between exile and redemption. While the lives of the patriarchs and matriarchs in Genesis are foundational, their stories focus on personal journeys. In contrast,

Jacob’s attempt to reveal the “end of days” to his sons highlights a fundamental truth: some things are beyond human understanding and cannot be fully expressed. Though Jacob’s words remain prophetic, he is stopped from disclosing the ultimate future when the divine presence, the Shekhina, departs. This is not due to any fault in Jacob

The central story in Parashat Vayigash is the emotional encounter between Joseph and Judah, which takes place as Jacob and his sons descend to Egypt. This moment, filled with tension and reconciliation, reflects the complex relationship between these two figures—a relationship that remains central and significant throughout Jewish history. In the Haftarah for this portion,

This week’s Parasha relates how the chief butler forgets Joseph after being released from prison, despite Joseph’s significant role in interpreting the butler’s dream. This moment seems perplexing, as one would expect the butler to remember such an impactful experience. However, the text reveals that the butler did not recall Joseph until “the end of

Rashi introduces this week’s parasha with the words of the Midrash: Jacob wished to live in tranquility, but then the trouble of Joseph sprang upon him. When the tzaddikim wish to live in peace, The Holy One, Blessed Be He, says, “Is it not enough for the tzaddikim that so much is prepared for them

In vast tapestry of biblical narratives, Jacob stands as a complex embodiment of truth, underscored by the prophetic exhortation, “Give truth to Jacob” (Mic. 7:20). Yet, this patriarchal figure often acts with a certain cunning that belies his association with an absolute ideal of truthfulness. In various accounts—such as those within Parashat Toledot, Vayetzeh, and

Jacob’s journey begins when he leaves the insular study halls of Shem and Ever, stepping out from a world of spiritual learning into the unknown and corrupt environment of his uncle Laban. This transition marks a pivotal moment in Jacob’s life, where he must confront the challenges of the outside world and recognize the higher

The Philistines in the biblical narrative are often associated with the concept of “stam” (meaning “insignificance” or “ordinariness”), which reflects a mindset of avoiding deep engagement or commitment to any issue or belief. In the context of Isaac redigging his father’s wells, the Philistines are depicted as filling the wells with earth, thereby rendering them

The transition between Parashat Vayera and Parashat Hayei Sara represents a dramatic shift from intense, world-altering events to a more tranquil, routine existence. In Parashat Vayera, we see Abraham involved in monumental events like the destruction of Sodom, the Akeda, and divine revelations. These events are filled with tension and profound spiritual significance. In contrast,

The ten trials of Abraham are an overarching test of self-sacrifice, not in a physical or outward sense, but in breaking his own inner boundaries. Rather than battling external foes or simply restraining physical desires, each trial challenges Abraham to overcome aspects of himself. These are not trials of bodily endurance or physical deeds; instead,

The parashah emphasizes the unique challenge of Abraham’s journey, marked by his setting out without a defined destination. Unlike Noah, who had the clear task of building an ark to save himself from the flood, Abraham’s journey is clouded with uncertainty and requires deep trust. This departure into the unknown requires a special kind of