This week’s Torah portion is Korach. Korach challenges Moses and Aaron’s leadership during the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness. He declares: “You have gone too far! For all the community are holy, all of them, and Adonai is in their midst. Why then do you raise yourselves above Adonai’s congregation?” God is not amused. The ground opens up and swallows Korach and his followers. Each month, I offer a d’var Torah to the Jewish business community. What about the story

Shavuot is often known as the holiday that celebrates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. Historically, it began as an agricultural festival marking the wheat harvest in ancient Israel, but over time it became associated with the moment when the Israelites stood together at Sinai and accepted the covenant and responsibilities of Torah. That acceptance is important. The Israelites are not simply “given” Torah. They stand together and answer: Na’aseh v’nishma“ We will do, a

Rabbi Jamie wears several hats, one of which is for whom she wrote this column. Image credit: Lilian Broca Many think of Purim, which begins at sundown on Monday, as a joyous holiday celebrated with carnivals, hamantaschen (cookies that look like hats), and costume parties. It is all of that, but it’s also a more complex holiday, layered with themes of antisemitism, revenge, the objectification of women, and behind-the-scenes politics. Yet behind-the-scenes politics are not n