Rabbi Marc D. Rudolph

In our parsha for this week, Miketz, Pharoah has two dreams and calls for his wise men and his magicians to interpret them. After they can offer no solution to the dreams, Pharoah’s cupbearer remembers that Joseph, a young man he met when he was in prison, had interpreted the different dreams of him and…

In Parasha Vayishlakh, Jacob wrestles with “a man”, often identified as the guardian angel of his brother, Esau. Earlier in the story, when Jacob is told that his brother Esav is approaching “with four hundred men” Jacob is described as fearful and anxious. Here, however, Jacob does not appear to be afraid. Rather, he marshals…

Even though I am a Rabbi, everybody in my family does not have the same idea about God. Some of us believe in a personal God, others believe in God as an abstract force in the universe, still others do not profess a belief in God at all. I found this brief story retold by…

On Tuesday I traveled to Washington DC to participate in in the March for Israel on the National Mall. I returned home with the two posters pictured above. We placed them in our front window. We live in a small condominium community of about 30 units, so we do not have many passers-bye. Who was…

One of the most painful parts of this painful period of time is the kidnapping of 240 men, women, and children by Hamas on October 7. The youngest of them turned 10 months old in captivity! Pictures of these captives, posted on light poles and buildings in cities and on campuses across the United States,…

The wicked draw the sword and bend their bowsTo bring down the poor and needy,To slay those whose way is upright;Their sword shall enter their own heart,And their bows shall be broken. Psalm 37:14-15 Last week’s parsha resonated with us as few do. In it we read that Abraham’s nephew Lot is kidnapped during the…

Last week my wife and I spent three glorious days in Vermont soaking up the fall colors. I have to say I felt a bit guilty enjoying myself when there is so much suffering in Israel and in Gaza. There I was in peaceful, pastoral Vermont a week after 1400 people were slaughtered in Israel.…

In moments of crisis, people show who they are. President Joe Biden delivered a speech three days ago that brought tears to my eyes and to the eyes of many others as well. “You know, there are moments in this life — and I mean this literally — when the pure, unadulterated evil is unleashed…

During the Festival of Succoth, the Rabbis ordained that we are to read the Book of Ecclesiastes—Kohelet, in Hebrew. It is a rather curious choice. Succoth is called “Zman Simchateinu”, the “Time of our Rejoicing”. It is the only Festival where we are commanded to be happy. The Book of Kohelet, on the other hand,…

How old were you when you knew you were Jewish? This was the question addressed to me by a teen in my synagogue’s confirmation class. I admit, it took me by surprise. It wasn’t at my bris — I do not remember that! But it was certainly before my first day of Hebrew School. I…