On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah

In the closing portion of the book of Genesis, Joseph finds out his father is ill. Rabbi Jacobs, reflecting on his own e... Read more

The Torah commands us to take a census of the “whole Israelite community” – but who does the counting, and who, exactly,... Read more

In this week's Torah portion, as Joseph searches for his brothers, he also seeks the shalom (peace) that comes with rebu... Read more

How do you build a world of justice, wholeness, goodness and kindness? Rabbi Jacobs offers some ideas from Parashat T'ru... Read more

In Parashah Vayishlach, we find Jacob transforming a site into a holy and special place. Rabbi Rick Jacobs wonders what ... Read more

What can the akeidah (binding of Isaac) teach us about loving God and loving one another? In this week's Torah portion, ... Read more

This week, Rabbi Rick Jacobs recounts his experience studying dance while in Rabbinical School, how partaking in an inte... Read more

What’s your creative process? How do you begin? This week, Rabbi Rick Jacobs discusses Parashat B'reishit, which is all ... Read more

This week, in Parashat Chukat, we learn about the death of one of Judaism’s greatest ancestors: Miriam. Rabbi Rick Jacob... Read more

What is the real importance of what we wear? Rabbi Rick Jacobs explores the themes of Parashat T’tzaveh, this week’s Tor... Read more

Does being a person of faith mean you believe in blessings and curses? Why should we always "do the right thing?" Are we... Read more

This week Rabbi Rick Jacobs teaches us from Parashat Tazria in the book of Leviticus, asking where we start when we need... Read more

It’s another two-parashah week, and this time we’re reading about love. The phrase “love the stranger” appears in the To... Read more

Do we do things because they bring us meaning, or do things have meaning because we do them?  Can your morning yoga clas... Read more

What is at the center of your life and how do you keep your focus on what matters most? Parashat Ki Tisa offers insights... Read more

Rabbi Rick Jacob’s reflection on Parashah Eikev, teaches about how imperative it is that as we encounter the natural ups... Read more

Often, we think about what actions we might've taken during trying moments in history -- but what are we doing right now... Read more

What does it mean to be "mindful," to truly slow down and pay attention to what's happening in our daily lives? This wee... Read more

Is there a spiritual or moral dimension to how we choose what we eat? Parashat Sh'mini from the book of Leviticus opens ... Read more

Ten is an important number in Jewish tradition, and in this parashah we read the second telling of the Ten Commandments.... Read more