Body Image: What are We Ashamed of?
By Mark Greenspan
Parashat B’reishit, Genesis 1:1-6:8
"Public Appearance and Behavior" by Gordon Tucker (pp. 373) in The Observant Life
B'reishit
Joseph’s Brothers: Guilt, Repentance, Remorse
By Mark Greenspan
Parashat Mi-ketz, Genesis 41:1-44:17 & Parashat Va-yiggash, Genesis 44:18-47:27
"Repentance" by David Lincoln (pp. 412) in The Observant Life
Worse than Sticks and Stones: Gossip, Slander, and Talebearing
By Mark Greenspan
Parashat Va-yeishev, Genesis 37:1-40:23
"Gossip, Slander, and Talebearing" by Benjamin Kramer (pp. 582) in The Observant Life
How Inclusive is Judaism?
By Mark Greenspan
Parashat Va-yishlah, Genesis 32:4-36:43
"Individuals with Disabilities" by Edward M. Friedman (pp. 831) in The Observant Life
The Problem With Jacob: Viewing our Forefather Honestly
By Mark Greenspan
Parashat Va-yetzei, Genesis 28:10-32:3
"Personal Integrity" by Kassel Abelson (pp. 360) in The Observant Life
My Brother's/Sister's Keeper: Wrestling with Sibling Relations
By Mark Greenspan
Parashat Toldot, Genesis 25:19-28:6
"Between Siblings" by David Greenstein (pp. 693) in The Observant Life
Two Funerals and a Marriage: Symbolism and Meaning in Life Cycle Ceremonies
By Mark Greenspan
Parashat Hayyei Sarah, Genesis 23:1-25:18
"The Jewish Life Cycle" by Carl Astor (pp. 239) in The Observant Life
The Primacy of Hesed: What We Learn from Abraham
By Mark Greenspan
Parashat Va-yera, Genesis 18:1-22:24
"Caring for the Needy" by Elliot Dorff (pp. 806) in The Observant Life
Our Tie to Eretz Yisrael: Devine Right or National Destiny?
By Mark Greenspan
Parashat Lekh L'kha, Genesis 12:1-17:26
"Israel" by Martin S. Cohen (pp. 339) in The Observant Life
Corruption and Destruction: Noah as an Environmental Parable
By Mark Greenspan
Parashat Noah, Genesis 6:9-11:32
"The Environment" by Lawrence Troster (pp. 875) in The Observant Life