Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Riskin

An ideological thread connects the holidays and creation

There is a conceptual scheme magnificently uniting the holidays and the beginning of the rereading of the Torah at their end..

Just open the door!

In our imperfect and incomplete world it is often difficult to find God, sense His presence and recognize His concern. On Yom Kippur we can.

Why can't we count Jews?

A census presupposes that in battle and when compared to other nations, there is strength in numbers, numbers count. Not with the Jews.

Our own 'Mishkan Me'at' is the heir to the Holy Temples

"MIshkan me'at", a miniature tabernacle, is found in the synagogue, study hall and Jewish home which parallels much of Temple ritual..

Are you going up or going down?

A tale of two Haims explains how you can tell which way you are headed.

Birth and rebirth in the Book of Shmot

Paralleling our national birth and rebirth is the birth and rebirth of Moses.

Vaera: Transmitting a legacy

Parshat Va’era (Exodus 6:2-9:35): The vast difference between inheritance and heritage.

The pivotal role of women in the development of our nation

As the Jewish nation emerged from a family, and families are the bedrock of society, it is clearly the women who are of supreme importance.

The Tractate of Pesach that was rescued from Hitler's bunker

The connection between Passover and Holocaust Memorial Day just after the holiday is the eternal nature of the Jews.

Weighing in on the 'Sixties Baby Boomer' spiritual pioneers

The story of the Baby Boomer spiritual searchers who ended up in Israel and missed US Jewry's assimilation.debacle. Op-ed.

Which American rabbi will answer the call?

Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Riskin came to Israel to make a difference without anyone having to urge him. Who will follow in his footsteps? Opinion.

Grace after meals

Sharing God’s bounty, yearning for Israel, the spiritual goal of Jerusalem, a need to appreciate what we have - and a blessing for today.

Ruth, the righteous proselyte

Ruth's commitment catapults this convert into the center stage of Jewish eternity.

What goes around, comes around

What does G-d want of us?

The wish to be counted

Two Torah talks: For Israel and for the Diaspora

Uniting heaven and earth

Why we rejoice on Simchat Torah

Beyond the spectacle

Jonah and forgiveness

Nitzavim-Vayelech: Can we change?

Ohr Torah on Naso (Diaspora); video for Behaalotcha (Israel)

Ohr Torah on Behar and Bechukotai

Ohr Torah on the last days of Pesach

Ohr Torah on the parsha

Why is it forbidden to count Jews?

Ohr Torah on the Parsha: The eternity of Israel

Ohr Torah on the parsha

Ohr Torah on the Parsha: Slavery

Ohr Torah on the Parsha: Sabbath

Ohr Torah on the Parsha: Just allow your eyes to see

Ohr Torah on the parsha: Darkness, then and now

Ohr Torah on the Parsha: Hardened hearts

Ohr Torah on the Parsha: Inspired grandparents

Ohr Torah on the Parsha: Inheriting leadership

Ohr Torah on Vayigash: The way-station

Ohr Torah on Hanukkah

Ohr Torah: The familial blessing

Ohr Torah on the parsha: Love in marriage

Ohr Torah on the parsha: Why was Sarah in Hevron?

Ohr Torah on the Parsha: Isaac and Ishmael

Ohr Torah on the Parsha: Kaleidoscope

Ohr Torah on the Parsha: Celestial Man

Ohr Torah for Shabbat Chol Hamoed

Ohr Torah on Haazinu: Family Matters

Ohr Torah on the Parsha: Shabbat Shuva

Ohr Torah on Parashat Nitzavim

Ohr Torah on the Parsha: The Covenant of Responsibility

Ohr Torah on the Parsha: Mamzerim in the Talmud

Ohr Torah on the Parsha: The Importance of Bread

Ohr Torah for Shabbat Hazon: Rabbi Yohanan vs. Rabbi Akiva

Ohr Torah on the Parsha: Comfort

Ohr Torah on Balak: Prophets Who Care

Ohr Torah on the Parsha: Israelite Rebels

Ohr Torah on the Parsha: Rebellions

Ohr Torah on the Parsha: Are We Israelis or Jews?

Ohr Torah on the Parsha: Acceptance

Ohr Torah on the Parsha: Dreamers

Ohr Torah on the Parsha: The Shalshelet