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Rabbis for Human Rights is the Jewish voice on human rights.
Founded in 1988, it brings together more than 170 members – ordained rabbis and rabbinical students from across the denominations.
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Weekly Torah Portion
In Praise of Togetherness
Thoughts for Simchat Torah / Rabbi Dana Sharon
On the eve of Yom Kippur, a post was published on an online community for fans of Discworld, a book series by British fantasy author Terry Pratchett, reading as follows:
“I need a quote for courage.
Last year tomorrow someone tried to blow me and my synagogue up in the morning of Yom Kippur, the holiest day of our year.
Tomorrow morning is Yom Kippur and I’m walking to synagogue again.
I’m scared to go.
Please can you help me find STP quotes to give me courage?”
“I need a quote for courage.
Last year tomorrow someone tried to blow me and my synagogue up in the morning of Yom Kippur, the holiest day of our year.
Tomorrow morning is Yom Kippur and I’m walking to synagogue again.
I’m scared to go.
Please can you help me find STP quotes to give me courage?”
The Four Species: The Dark Side of the Pre-School Midrash
Thoughts for Sukkot / Rabbi Dalia Marx (PhD.)
Only this year did I finally understand what has bothered me so much about the beloved and familiar midrash about the Four Species that I have known since kindergarten. Among the many midrashim about the Four Species, one of the best known explains the different qualities of each species and what they represent
“You stand this day, all of you, before the ETERNAL your God”
Thoughts for Parashat Nitzavim-Vayelech / Rabbi Mira Regev
This Shabbat, Shabbat Nitzavim, is the final Shabbat of the year. Just before we move into a new year, the Torah pauses us and places us within one of its formative moments: “You stand this day, all of you, before the ETERNAL your God” (Deuteronomy 29:9).
Rashi interprets this as: “This teaches that Moses gathered them before the Holy One, Blessed be He, on the day of his death, to bring them into the covenant.” There is deep significance in the word that opens this moment: nitzavim. It means more than simply standing; it means presenting oneself, taking one’s stand.