The JCRC's Rabbi in Residence, Abbi Sharofsky, provides our community with an engaging commentary on the week’s Torah portion.
October 7, 2020 / 19 Tishrei, 5781
Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah 5781
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
On Yom Kippur, we came together virtually or in carefully limited groups and recited some of the most difficult prayers in Jewish liturgy. We asked for forgiveness, we searched our souls, and recalled those we lost. Yizkor, the service of remembrance, is a central feature of the Yom Kippur service. The memories of loved ones, of old friends, of public figures, sat with us as we prayed throughout that solemn day.
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October 2, 2020 / 14 Tishrei, 5781
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
Sukkot is known as “zman simchateinu,” a time of our joy. Historically, we are celebrating the fall harvest and the biblical Israelites’ journey through the desert wilderness. We intentionally build fragile structures; for eight days we eat and even sleep within them, knowing it could be beautiful and sunny one day, cold and windy another.
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September 23, 2020 / 5 Tishrei 5781
Parashat Ha’azinu – Shabbat Shuvah
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
The ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are some of the most complicated days of the Jewish year. It is a time of standing between the joy and sweetness of welcoming the new year and the solemnity of Yom Kippur, a day of judgement. During this time, many Jews reflect on the past year and engage in the work of teshuva – repentance and recalibration with others, with God, and with oneself. This year, this meaningful work is happening in the shadow of a monumental event, the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
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September 18, 2020 / 29 Elul 5780
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
For many people, Rosh Hashanah always seems to arrive before we are quite ready for it. This year, the feeling of being caught off guard is even more acute, because everything we typically associate with Rosh Hashanah is somehow different.
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September 2, 2020 / 13 Elul 5780
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
In this week’s Torah portion Ki Tavo, a reminder that our society is not only experiencing the physical and emotional traumas of a pandemic – we are experiencing spiritual trauma – and we must address it.
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August 19, 2020 / 29 Av 5780
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
In this week’s Torah portion, Shoftim, centers justice as a foundational precept for the Israelite nation, a platform that will carry them into peoplehood.
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August 12, 2020 / 22 Av 5780
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
In this week’s Torah portion, Re’eh, includes instructions for how we should treat people in our communities, whether they are within our immediate networks or beyond.
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August 5, 2020 / 15 Av 5780
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
This week’s Torah portion Eikev, emphasizes that having enough food to eat should not be taken for granted. The Israelites are commanded, once they had enough to eat, to thank God for the food.
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July 29, 2020 / 8 Av 5780
Parashat Vaetchanan -Shabbat Nachamu
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
This week’s Torah portion and haftarah (additional reading from the Prophets) demonstrates the necessity of comfort at difficult times.
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July 22, 2020 / Rosh Hodesh Av 5780
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
Today marks beginning of the month of Av, a pivotal point in the Jewish calendar. Lewis’ death adds another layer of sadness as we enter the month of Av and a period of mourning leading to Tisha B’Av, the saddest day in the Jewish year. It is a space for recalling many losses and painful moments in Jewish history while acknowledging that even in the most difficult times, there is a place for hope.
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July 15, 2020 / 23 Tammuz 5780
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
This week’s Torah portion is Guest Commentary by Rabbi Evan Krame, President, Washington Board of Rabbis
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July 8, 2020 / 16 Tammuz 5780
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
One of the most cringe-worthy moments in the life of a company or organization is when a person says, “This is how we’ve always done it.” Perhaps a new employee or board member suggested a strategy on improving workflow or productivity. Or wanted to try a new approach to an ongoing issue. Or questioned the structure of leadership – only to be met with “This is how we’ve always done it.” Ideas and potential for growth are stopped before they even had a chance to start.
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July 1, 2020 / 9 Tammuz 5780
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
This week’s Torah portion, Hukkat-Balak, includes the story of Balaam, a person sent by Balak,an enemy of Israel, to curse the Israelites.
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July 1, 2020 / 9 Tammuz 5780
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
This week’s Torah portion, Hukkat-Balak, includes the story of Balaam, a person sent by Balak,an enemy of Israel, to curse the Israelites.
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June 24, 2020 / 2 Tammuz 5780
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
This week’s Torah portion, Korach, focuses on the Israelites struggling with changing leadership dynamics and the difficulties of moving from the past into the future. This is an ongoing struggle for the Israelites, as seen in previous Torah portions. Our country is experiencing similar challenges – coming to terms with a tumultuous history and learning how to create a more just and equitable society. In difficult times, many people turn to prayer, asking God for strength and healing, as Moses does time and time again.
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June 17, 2020 / 25 Sivan 5780
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
This week’s Torah portion, Sh’lach, details the reactions of the group of Israelites who were sent to scout the land beyond the desert which would be known as Israel.
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June 10, 2020 / Shavuot 5780
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
This week’s Torah portion, Beha’alotekha, is filled with insights and narratives about the Israelites as they travelled in the wilderness.
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June 3, 2020 / Shavuot 5780
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
It is time to address systemic racism in our communities and our country. American Jews must engage in this process, first by ensuring that Jews of Color are included in the collective voice of our People.
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May 27, 2020 / Shavuot 5780
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
Theological differences aside, Shavuot is a powerful affirmation of Jewish peoplehood. The Torah was given to the entire Israelite nation; it provided the essential framework for a distinct identity and culture, as well as a definitive geo-political roadmap for the Jewish people’s journey to its eventual homeland.
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May 20, 2020 / 26 lyar 5780
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
The Jewish community knows the importance of the census and is well positioned to be a leader in encouraging census participation.
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May 13, 2020 / 19 lyar 5780
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
This week’s Torah reading, Behar-Behukkotai, focuses on how we interact with each other as a society.
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May 6, 2020 / 12 lyar 5780
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
This week’s Torah reading, Emor, where the Israelites are commanded to offer a measure of grain each day for seven weeks.
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April 29, 2020 / 5 lyar 5780
Parashat Acharei Mot – Kedoshim
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
This week’s Torah reading, Acharei Mot-Kedoshim, in the midst of all the rules and prohibitions, the Israelites are reminded that yes, they must keep the laws – and, according one commentary on the verse, not place their own safety or well-being before upholding the commandments.
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April 21, 2020 / 27 Nisan 5780
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
This week’s Torah reading, Tazria-Metzora, deals with sickness, skin afflictions, impurities, and separating oneself from the community when those things
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April 1, 2020 / 7 Nisan 5780
Parashat Tzav- Shabbat HaGadol
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
This Shabbat is known as “Shabbat HaGadol” or “The Great Sabbath,” marking the last Shabbat before Passover. We chanta special haftarah, reading from the Prophets, which mentions the concept of tithing and ensuring food is available for others.