I’m sure by this point in the election cycle, you’ve heard plenty of people from all political persuasions talking about the dilemma of choosing the “lesser of two evils.” Though the label “evil” might be intended as hyperbole, that doesn’t change the fact that our two major parties nominated candidates who are viewed unfavorably among a significant number of people, even from within their own parties.

Is it just me, or do you also hear the Happy Days theme song in your head when we read the story of creation? In both cases, we go through the days of the week and call them “happy” or “good.”

Can you believe we’ve reached the end of the Torah already? And the final parshah, V’zot Habracha, which is a helpful reminder to look back on all the blessings of the previous year, is also the perfect transition to my next video series. Later this year, we’ll begin a new journey together called Birkat Hashanah, in which we’ll be talking about blessings for all seasons and times in our lives. See you soon!

In times of trouble we often hear people talk about their “rock,” that person who stood by them as they weathered the storm that was upon them. It could have been any number of qualities that were helpful in that time of need. Your rock might have been someone who didn’t falter, was always positive, or always open-armed.

Between the baby feedings at 3 a.m. and the toddler tantrums over nothing at all, how can we as parents possibly see the big picture? As we learn from how Moshe changes his perspective, this too is Torah.

One of my favorite parts of the week is writing these little d’vrei Torah for you. Good thing I became a rabbi, right? The act of sitting with an open chumash, reading the parshah, and thinking about how these ancient words can be relevant and thought-provoking for today excites me.