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I love this dvar Torah – parshas Beshalach

Came across this dvar Torah by Chief Rabbi of England Lord Jonathan Sacks (text and audio available at that link) while looking for my regular parsha audio show with Rabbi Phil Chernofsky at IsraelNationalRadio.com.

(here are many, MANY back “issues” of Phil Chernofsky’s Torah Tidbits Audio shows, in case you’re interested… he’s always lively and easy to follow, and sometimes fascinating)

Anyway, I particularly enjoyed what Rabbi Sacks had to say because it ties together a few thoughts that I was having following this reading (also by Rabbi Sacks) that we had to do for a learning group that got together last motzaei Shabbos. 

The one we had to read was over twelve pages long, and that’s with very tight margins (but very illuminating and erudite, I promise!)… while this dvar Torah, on the other hand, is an easy eight minute listen / read.

And I love it because  he points out that Torah and science aren’t here to contradict one another… and that sometimes believe in science (even seemingly “heretical” explanations of the wonders of this week’s parsha) can actually illuminate and strengthen one’s faith.

Did I just use the word “illuminate” twice in this post?  Well, sue me.  It’s 2 a.m., my hands are STILL freezing, and I am STILL on my way to do laundry before bed.

’Nitey!

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Comments

  1. nplJanuary 29, 2010 2:47 PM

    Did you know that he has published a sefer on Breishis with the same title "Covenant and Conversation"?
    According to his literary agent, it is available here, and should be in the major Jewish bookstores.

    ReplyDelete
  2. SherylJanuary 31, 2010 2:44 AM

    Yes, Covenant & Conversation is a 5-volume collection of Rabbi Sacks' parashat hashavua essays. The first volume, Genesis: The Book of Beginnings just won America's most prestigious Jewish literary prize, The National Jewish Book Award! It is available at stores everywhere, including amazon. The 2nd volume, Exodus: The Book of Redemption will be out in Fall 2010.

    ReplyDelete
  3. TziviaJanuary 31, 2010 10:39 AM

    Okay, so I am slow on the uptake here, guys... turns out EVERYBODY knows about this guy except me. The people we were out at for lunch even had this book on a shtender in the corner of the dining room! Anyway, definitely one for the must-have list. Too bad Shemos is not out yet. Meanwhile, DO check out his divrei Torah on IsraelNationalRadio; there's something special about hearing it in his own voice.

    ReplyDelete

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