June 21, 2025

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Rabbi Neil N. Winkler

Articles by Rabbi Neil N. Winkler

Emulating God

Parshat Balak This week’s haftarah reading, taken from Sefer Micha, would appear to have little in common with our Torah reading beyond the mention of

(Mis)Using the Past

Parshat Chukat Although we often search to find a connection between the parsha and its haftarah, we have no need to wonder about Chazal’s selection

Compare and Contrast

Parshat Korach At times, we are challenged to uncover the underlying reason why Chazal chose a specific chapter in the navi as the haftarah that

Spying vs. Touring

Parshat Shelach Whenever discussing this week’s haftarah that relates the story of the spies sent by Yehoshua before the Israelite invasion of Eretz Canaan, the

Enlightened by the Menorah

Parshat Beha’alotcha The haftarah this week centers upon the menorah, details of which open our parsha as well, hence Chazal’s choice to read this vision

A Story of Lost Opportunity

Parshat Naso Our haftarah this week relates the story of the predicted (and eventually actualized) birth of Shimshon HaGibor who, his parents are told, would

Formed in the Desert

Parshat Bamidbar Sefer BaMidbar, which we begin this Shabbat, begins with the events that took place in the beginning of the second year of Bnei

Sanctity in the Mundane

Parashat Emor that we read this week dedicates its first perek to the laws of kedusha as they apply to the kohanim. The obligation of

Prophetic Words for Today

Parshiyot Acharei Mot-Kedoshim This week’s haftarah is taken from “Trei Asar,” the prophecies of the 12 “minor” prophets (“minor” only insofar as the size of

Rosh Chodesh Nisan

Shabbat HaChodesh Parshat Vayikra The final chapters of Sefer Yechezkel are prophecies that detail the construction of, and the service in, the future Beit Mikdash.

Moshe and Eliyahu

Parshat Ki Tisa This week’s parsha of Ki Tisa relates the story of “ma’aseh ha’egel,” Israel’s sin in worshiping the Golden Calf. Over half of

A Lesson in Morality

Shabbat Zachor Parshat Tetzaveh The haftarah this Shabbat Zachor is the well-known story told in Sefer Shmuel I of King Shaul’s battle against Amalek, a