In Parashat Vayeira, Sarah pretends for the second time that she’s Abraham’s sister instead of his wife. Even though it may seem like an odd trend, there is, of course, something to learn from it. Listen to Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, give his take, in this episode of On the Other Hand.
Many people consider Parashat Lech L’cha to be the story of Avram, or Abraham, leaving his father to begin his life as a Jew. In this episode of On the Other Hand, Rabbi Jacobs makes the case that Avram didn’t actually leave anyone behind, but instead, he went with.
In Parashat Noach, God sends a flood to Earth as punishment for corruption and lawlessness. As we’re living in the aftermath of several natural disasters today, some may wonder what “acts of God” really are. Rabbi Jacobs gives his take in this episode of On the Other Hand
As we begin a new cycle of study and learning with Parashat B’reishit, Rabbi Jacobs makes a case for the number seven. Why is the number seven so significant, and what does this significance mean in Judaism? Rabbi Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, explains, in this episode of On the Other Hand.
Sukkot, the holiday that celebrates the harvest and the beauty of the natural world, is this week. On Sukkot, we read Kohelet (Book of Ecclesiastes). Kohelet doesn’t have the theology of typical Jewish textual teachings, but it does have an important message about reaping what you sow. Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism, gives his thoughts on Sukkot and Kohelet in this episode of On the Other Hand.