“Surely, this Instruction which I command you this day is not too baffling for you, nor is it far off. It is not in the heavens, that you should say, “Who among us can go up to the heavens and get it for us and teach us, so that we may observe it?” Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, “Who among us can cross to the other side of the sea and get it for us and teach us, so that we may observe it?” No, the thing is very close to you, in your mouth, and in your heart, so do it.”

Deuteronomy 30:11-14


The Jewish tradition is rich in commentary about the five Books of Moses. While trite, it is true that Jews are the "People of the Book." Interpretation of text has never been the exclusive province of the clergy: our history is replete with commentaries - oral and written - prepared and expounded upon by lay people.

Part of the tradition of examination of Torah comes through a review of the weekly reading, and drawing lessons from the reading as they may apply to our lives. In 5761, corresponding to the year 2000-2001 of the secular calendar, I began an effort to prepare a weekly comment ("drash" or “d’var torah”) on the parasha. I intended at that time to find some lessons that would be of particular interest to Executive Directors of temples and synagogues. Over time, this expanded to Jewish professionals, and, at times to management principles in general (albeit from a Jewish perspective). From time to time, the news of the day has served as a different focus for interpretative reading of the weekly text. With a few exceptions, I kept at the task regularly through the years.

By sharing them with friends and peers across the country (and around the world, thanks to the internet) I realized a hope: that I could stimulate additional conversation and discussion among readers of the weekly message. In so doing, I’m following the tradition of Jewish learning which requires partners in study: “Chevrutah”. And now with this blog, I hope that we can expand the discussion, and bring our learning to others.

Every week, matters of moral imperatives are raised. Ideas of good and evil, reward and punishment and moral choices echo across the centuries to us. When faced with daily choices, we need to include in our decision-making process the moral truths of our tradition. In a nutshell, this is what this effort of Torah study and analysis has been all about: find the moral pathway, and use one's free will to make the moral decision.

Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch has written, “Our tradition teaches that people experience revelation differently. ‘The divine word spoke to each and every person according to his particular capacity’ (Peskita d’Rav Kahana 12:25). There is no ‘one,’ ‘authoritative,’ or ‘literal’ understanding. ‘Just as a hammer strikes the rock and it shatters into many pieces, so does a single verse of Torah yield many meanings.’ (Sanhedrin 34a).’ (One People, Two Worlds Shocken Books, NY, 2002.)