January 18, 2025

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Rabbi Neil N. Winkler

Articles by Rabbi Neil N. Winkler

A Lesson for Generations

Parshat Vayakhel Shabbat Shekalim The special haftarah ordained by Chazal to be read on Shabbat Shekalim—the Shabbat of or before Rosh Chodesh Adar (in which

 Moshe and Eliyahu

Parshat Ki Tisa Among the most compelling rivalries—described in all of Tanach—is the conflict between Eliyahu HaNavi and the Israelite king, Achav. The text describes

‘It’s More Than Numbers’

Parshat Tetzaveh The final nine perakim of sefer Yechezkel (40-48) describe to the prophet the future of the Beit Mikdash and of Eretz Yisrael. To

Mishkan Versus Mikdash

Parshat Terumah As our parsha begins detailing the construction and the eventual function of the Mishkan; so too, does our haftarah, describing the construction and

A Rosh Chodesh Message for Today

Shabbat Rosh Chodesh Parshat Mishpatim As this Shabbat marks the first day of Adar Rishon, we read the special haftarah designated for Shabbat Rosh Chodesh,

 Rahm V’Nissa

Parshat Yitro The vivid and dramatic vision seen by the navi Yishayahu in our haftarah is, as we have noted in earlier essays, the very

Man’s Effort; God’s Support

Man’s Effort; God’s Support Parashat B’shalach Shabbat Shirah January 27, 2024 Upon reading this morning’s haftarah one can easily see the obvious connection that it

‘Al Tira Avdi Yaakov’

Parshat Bo This week’s haftarah echoes the message of the prophecy issued by Yechezkel, the one we read in last week’s haftarah. Like his younger

Egypt’s Sins; Israel’s Mistakes

Parashat Va’era In previous essays, I have pointed out that the prophetic messages found in the weekly haftarot can be better understood by taking note

Two Fathers, Two Challenges

Parashat Vayechi Over the years, we have both compared and contrasted the parting words of Ya’akov Avinu found in the parsha and those of David

Yechezkel’s Lesson for Today

Parashat Vayigash This week’s haftarah from Sefer Yechezkel marks the closing of the geula (redemption) section of the book, a section that includes chapters 36

‘Ha’ikar Chahser Min Hasefer’

Parashat Miketz “Ha’ikar chahser min hasefer.” This expression, arguing that the essential idea that one proposed was untenable simply because the source for the approach