In a world of passive aggression, physical and emotional aggression, and mounting societal outrage, there can be instinctive allure to Torah's "eye for an eye" maxim about justice.Except it doesn't mean what the millennia made it out to mean.  What principles should guide us in addressing bad behavior?  When – if ever – does "like"… Continue reading Justice and a World Blind and Toothless: P. Mishpatim

When I was a Harvard graduate student lo many years ago, person-sized Biblical words about law looked down on me every day from atop one of the academic buildings.They look down on me still – and on you, and on our country. ​By Rabbi David Evan MarkusYitro 5786 (2026)I rarely discuss my professional pedigree: I myself… Continue reading The Way They Will Walk (P. Yitro)

Even the most faithful among us have times of forgetting, doubting and disbelieving.  Lifelong learning, gratitude and perspective suddenly can fly out the window.Even the most faithless among us have times of belief that challenge rationalism, atheism and all other -isms.  Clutched certainty of disbelief, and with it clarity about how life is, suddenly can fall… Continue reading The bittersweet fickleness of faith: P. Beshalah

How do we perceive the world – as it is becoming or as a projection of ourselves?How do we perceive the future?  Do we see the future merely continuing a past or present, or brimming with possibility?  ​A rare few among us – the prophets of old, and modern visionaries like Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King,… Continue reading Gifts of foresight: P. Bo

We call our beloveds by many names.  Whether a given name, an adopted name, a "pet" name or something else, each name encodes a special relationship and a story about it.Why should it be different for the Beloved that we call God? It's not.  "God" isn't a Name but a role, a function.  As for the… Continue reading What’s In a Name? P. Vaera

Before it's all said and done, what do we make of the dust-ups, hurts, disappointments and dramas of our messy lives?it's tempting to answer that we bear them as best we can, and even make meaning of them – and hopefully we do.  But is there more?Is there a way to redeem what happens in… Continue reading The Angelic Art of Redemption: P. Vayehi

We live in an era of rising global strongmen and eroding guardrails for democracy.Judaism has seen much in its 3,500 years, including the rise and fall of many strongmen.Effective frontal confrontations are rare against absolute power and its penchant for corruption.  Such powers tend to entrench themselves by means as damaging and corrupt as they… Continue reading Subverting Absolute Power: P. Vayigash

Joseph's coat of many colors has become the stuff of art, parenting books, spiritual seeking and a now-timeless Broadway musical.And wow, is it loaded!  Perhaps Joseph's coat became such a Biblical icon precisely because it is so loaded.Stitched into its amazing technicolor weave is a deep teaching about how we make meaning in our lives –… Continue reading The Amazing Technicolor Hindsight Stories We Tell Ourselves (P. Vayeishev)

Sometimes received religious traditions fail to hear the voice of suffering.  Even worse, received traditions can suppress the voice of suffering. It happens because every religion, by definition, titrates high principle through inherently limited and flawed human capacity. What is our duty in response? By Rabbi David Evan MarkusVayishlah 5786 (2025)Past Divrei Torah on this portion:• On Mideast Peace: Is… Continue reading Hearing the Unheard: P. Vayishlah

Believers might readily embrace the spiritual prospect of asking God a question and receiving a response (whether with a knowing or feeling beyond self, or an inner sense within).But how about disbelievers?  In a rational world of left-brain logic, can suffering and brokenness drive a rational response that is spiritual?  Indeed they can, and the… Continue reading Rational Spirituality Beyond Belief (P. Toldot 5785)

When we think of a "pause that refreshes," most modern Jews will think of Shabbat.  For sure.Turns out that a daily "pause that refreshes" is good for the soul, and for work efficiency, and physical health.  And it's very Jewish.Read on, with a bonus spotlight on R. David's learning at the Institute for Jewish Spirituality.… Continue reading The Pause that Refreshes (P. Chayei Sarah)

When the going gets tough, some of us have an instinct to pull in – to self-isolate, even conceal our tough times. Maybe we resist drawing attention to ourselves or our difficulties.  Maybe we feel that stoicism and privacy are the best parts of valor.  We cleave to normalcy like it's nobody's business. For deep reasons, Jewish spiritual… Continue reading Sick Visits (P. Vayera)

t's okay to be afraid during times of uncertainty, especially when much is at stake. But when we let fears rule us without lovingly questioning them, we tend to make what we fear more likely to impact us. ​And then who are we really? By Rabbi David Evan MarkusLekh Lekha 5786 (2025)​Recent Divrei Torah on this portion:• Wresting a Blessing (2023)• Where… Continue reading Trust and Verify (P. Lekh-Lekha)

The Torah Cycle begins again.  As our ancestors have done for thousands of years, the turning of Torah's scroll aims to teach us partly by eliciting our questions.But for many centuries, one question apparently was too dangerous to the patriarchy for most to ask – which is why we must. By Rabbi David Evan MarkusBereishit 5786 (2025)Recent… Continue reading The Courage to Buck the Patriarchy (P. Bereshit)

In this first Torah portion of the new spiritual year, traditionally read between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur during most years, Moses prepares our spiritual ancestors for transition into new leadership (Joshua) and a new journey (into the Land of Promise).His way of doing so speaks to us exactly now, as we begin this new… Continue reading Be Strong and Courageous (P. Vayelekh)

For whom do you stand?  I don't mean physically (though we'll get to that shortly).  I mean existentially: for whom do you stand?This week's Torah portion rehearses a pivotal "Stand Together" moment we will experience on Yom Kippur.  Now over 700 days post-October 7, its call lands on me very differently.  By Rabbi David Evan MarkusNitzavim 5785 (2025)… Continue reading For Whom We Stand (P. Nitzavim)

What we do matters: our choices and behaviors have consequences even if we pretend not.With Selihot approaching this weekend, Torah bellows this truth like a shofar blast, as if to rivet our attention to the truths of our lives and our power to renew our lives for goodness. By Rabbi David Evan MarkusParashat Ki Tavo 5785 (2025) Isaac… Continue reading Truth or Consequences (P. Ki Tavo)