fbpx Divrei Torah | Reconstructing Judaism

Divrei Torah

Reconstructionist Torah Commentary

You are here

Below you can find divrei Torah (Torah commentaries) from a Reconstructionist approach.

You can skip to the beginning of a section of the Torah via the shortcut links below.

Also, visit our Weekly Learning page for a variety of materials connected to this week’s Torah reading. 

Genesis

Exodus

Leviticus

Numbers

Deuteronomy

Holidays

Genesis
Bereyshit | Genesis 1:1-6:8
Kaplan on Creation: An Explanation of Jewish Mission Mel Scult
Shabbat and Holiness Steven Nathan
No'akh | Genesis 6:9-11:32
Symbolism of Rainbows Howard Cohen
Lekh-Lekha | Genesis 12:1-17:27
Avraham, Happiness, and God's Open Hand Ellen Dannin
Be a Blessing Steven Nathan
Go to Yourself: Abraham and the Spiritual Journey Jonathan Kligler
Vayera | Genesis 18:1-22:24
The Destruction of the Cities of Sodom and Gomorrah Steven Nathan
The Akeida: Questions of Sacrifice Sydney Nestel
Welcoming Strangers, Welcoming Angels Hannah Spiro
Hayey Sarah | Genesis 23:1-25:18
Abraham's Second Life Lewis Eron
Quality or Quantity? Micah Becker-Klein
Filling in the Missing Pieces of Sarah's Life Elizabeth Bolton
Toldot | Genesis 25:19-29:9
Questioning Jacob's and Rebecca's Behavior Shai Gluskin
Isaac, Digger of Wells Ellen Dannin
Vayetzey | Genesis 28:10-32:3
A Seasonal Hint: Jacob Didn't Ask for That Much Stuff! Arlene Berger
Meeting Angels Lewis Eron
Vayishlakh | Genesis 32:4-36:43
Wrestling With... Steven Nathan
My Brother's Keeper Lewis Eron
Connecting the Dots Ellen Dannin
Vayeshev | Genesis 37:1-40:23
Tamar and Judah Ellen Dannin
Tamar the Hidden Ellen Dannin
Miketz | Genesis 41:1-44:17
The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of Steven Carr Reuben
Love Trumps Power Jeremy Schwartz
Joseph, The Favorite Son Elizabeth Bolton
Vayigash | Genesis 44:18-47:27
If I Had Only Known - Parashat Vayigash Steven Carr Reuben
Prophets and Sages Lewis Eron
Vay'khi | Genesis 47:28-50:26
The Danger of Religious Fanaticism James Greene
Courage and Forgiveness Steven Carr Reuben
Have You No Decency? Midrash and the Centrality of Love Mackenzie Reynolds
The Goal of Life Lewis Eron
Exodus
Shemot | Exodus 1:1-6:1
Trapped In Our Own Lies Lewis Eron
These Are The Names Micah Becker-Klein
Va'era | Exodus 6:2-9:35
Naming the Divine Steven Carr Reuben
Moses' Double Mission Lewis Eron
A Plague of Darkness Michael Strassfeld
Bo | Exodus 10:1-13:16
A Plague of Darkness Michael Strassfeld
The Rituals of Democracy Yael Ridberg
Responsibility and the Hardened Heart Steven Carr Reuben
What Is True In This Moment Jacob Staub
Beshalakh | Exodus 13:17-17:16
The Singing of the Oppressed Steven Nathan
Wade In The Water Jonathan Kligler
Evil and Compassion: Two Sides of One Staff Joel Hecker
Jewish Continuity and the origins of "Ben Hur" Eric Mendelsohn
Crossing the Sea in Every Generation Seth Rosen
Yitro | Exodus 18:1-20:26
"Hearing" The "Voice" of God Howard Cohen
Sinai and Humanity Steven Carr Reuben
Mishpatim | Exodus 21:1-24:18
Filling the Earth with God's Presence Ellen Dannin
Turning Memory into Empathy: The Torah’s Ethical Charge Shai Held
Terumah | Exodus 25:1-27:19
Amalek: Out There, or In Here? A Text Study for Shabbat Zakhor Michael Fessler
Do You Want To Be A Millionaire? Lewis Eron
Wherever We Let God In Steven Carr Reuben
Blueprint for a Full Jewish Life Jeffrey Schein
Tetzaveh | Exodus 27:20-30:10
On Holding High Jewish Office: Do Clothes Make the Man? Jeffrey Schein
Why Moses Did Not Become A Priest Steven Nathan
The Dress of the High Priest Ellen Dannin
A D'var Torah for Tetzaveh Eric Mendelsohn
Righting a World Turned Upside Down Yael Ridberg
Ki Tisa | Exodus 30:11-34:35
The Torah as Puzzle: Rearranging the Parts Jeffrey Schein
Why Be Good? Ellen Dannin
Trying to Limit the Divine Lewis Eron
Vayak'hel | Exodus 35:1-38:20
The Importance of Vision Jeffrey Schein
Journeying from the Personal to the Communal James Greene
Coming Together Steven Carr Reuben
Pekudey | Exodus 38:21-40:38
The Importance of Vision Jeffrey Schein
Journeying from the Personal to the Communal James Greene
Coming Together Steven Carr Reuben
Leviticus
Vayikra | Leviticus 1:1-5:26
Where Does the Spirit of Sacrifice Take Us? Jeffrey Schein
What Is True In This Moment Jacob Staub
The Spiritual Tools of Leviticus Steven Carr Reuben
Drawing Close to Sacrifice Ellen Dannin
Tzav | Leviticus 6:1-8:36
Tzav: The Haftarah as Commentary Jonathan Kligler
What Is True In This Moment Jacob Staub
The Ascending Heart Jeffrey Schein
The Eternal Flame Within Us All Arlene Berger
Shemini | Leviticus 9:1-11:47
Strange Fire: A Midrash Steven Nathan
Tazri'a | Leviticus 12:1-13:59
Finding Healing in Separation Steven Nathan
Birth of Humility Steven Carr Reuben
Illness and Connection Steven Carr Reuben
The Gift of Impermanence: A Story for Parashat Tazria/Metzora David Stein
Tzara'at and Selfishness Howard Cohen
Metzora | Leviticus 14:1-15:33
Finding Healing in Separation Steven Nathan
Illness and Connection Steven Carr Reuben
The Gift of Impermanence: A Story for Parashat Tazria/Metzora David Stein
Tzara'at and Selfishness Howard Cohen
Akharey Mot | Leviticus 16:1-18:30
The Mighty Waters of Justice & Love Yael Ridberg
Life, Death and Holiness Steven Carr Reuben
Blood Ellen Dannin
Kedoshim | Leviticus 19:1-20:27
Love the Stranger as Yourself Jonathan Kligler
The Mighty Waters of Justice & Love Yael Ridberg
Life, Death and Holiness Steven Carr Reuben
Emor | Leviticus 21:1-24:23
An Eye For An Eye? Jonathan Kligler
It's Not Fair! Steven Carr Reuben
Behar | Leviticus 25:1-26:2
Blessings and Curses Lewis Eron
Land Richard Hirsh
Bekhukotay | Leviticus 26:3-27:34
Land Richard Hirsh
Blessings and Curses Lewis Eron