May 15, 2025

Linking Northern and Central NJ, Bronx, Manhattan, Westchester and CT

Rabbi Neil N. Winkler

Articles by Rabbi Neil N. Winkler

It Is God’s Choice, Not Ours

Parashat Chukat The eleventh perek in Sefer Shoftim relates to us the story of Yiftach HaGiladi, a person rejected by his family who eventually becomes

It Is God’s Choice, Not Ours

Parashat Chukat The eleventh perek in Sefer Shoftim relates to us the story of Yiftach HaGiladi, a person rejected by his family who eventually becomes

Respect and Reason

Parshat Korach As in numerous readings of past weeks, we find the message left by our haftarah to be taught by both comparison and contrast.

Spies? But Why?

Parshat Shelach When discussing this week’s haftarah, the story of the spies sent by Yehoshua, the most troubling question that is often asked is why

Prophecies for Then and Now

Parshat Beha’alotcha This week’s haftarah is one that is quite familiar to us as it is read twice each year: on Shabbat Chanukah as well

Judge vs. King

Parshat Naso Our haftarah this week relates to us the well-known story of Shimshon HaGibor. Over the past few years I have written about the

A National Kiddush Hashem

Parshat Va’era I have always felt a special connection to the haftarah that we read this week. This selection from Sefer Yechezkel (28; 25–29; 21)

A Prophecy for Our Time

Parshat Behar The navi Yirmiyahu has been referred to as the “prophet of doom,” the seer who was vilified by many of his contemporaries for

The Kedusha of Today

Parshat Emor Parshat Emor, which we read this week, continues the theme of sanctity that marked last week’s parsha of Kedoshim and dedicates its first

The Obligation of Kedusha

Parshiyot Acharei Mot-Kedoshim The Book of Vayikra revolves around “Mikdash,” i.e., both the eventual Beit Hamikdash and the already completed Mishkan, beginning with the laws

King David and the Moon

Parshat Acharei Mot “Machar Chodesh” The story related in this week’s haftarah, a special one read when Shabbat coincides with Erev Rosh Chodesh, is found