Rabbi Stephanie Bernstein

Rabbi Stephanie Bernstein serves Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls Church, VA and teaches Introduction to Judaism courses for the Union for Reform Judaism in the Washington, D.C. area. She wrote some of the study guides for The Torah: A Women’s Commentary.

Parashat Sh’mini

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Stephanie Bernstein
Parashat Sh’mini Study Guide Themes Theme 1: Strange Brew—The Dangers of Playing with Fire Theme 2: You Are What You Eat and What Touches Your Possessions —Laws of Diet and Purity INTRODUCTION Parashat Sh’mini (“eighth”) opens on the eighth day of the ordination of Aaron and his sons as priests.
Sh'mini

Parashat Vayikra

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Stephanie Bernstein
Parashat Vayikra Study Guide Themes Theme 1: Coming Near to God through Sacrifices Theme 2: Restoring God’s Harmonious World through Sacrifice INTRODUCTION Parashat Vayikra, the first parashah in the book of Leviticus, establishes the groundwork for how the Israelites will approach God through sacrificial offerings.
Vayikra

Parashat P’kudei

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Stephanie Bernstein
Parashat P’kudei Study Guide Themes Theme 1: Giving Credit Where Credit is Due Theme 2: Completing the Tabernacle “To Do” List Introduction The planning, construction, and completion of the Tabernacle (Mishkan)—the earthly “home” for God—occupy much of the last five parashot in the book of Exodus.
P'kudei

Parashat Ki Tisa

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Stephanie Bernstein
Parashat Ki Tisa Study Guide Themes Theme 1: The Golden Calf—A Rupture in the Connection between God and Israel Theme 2: Restoring the Covenant— Healing the Rupture between God and Israel INTRODUCTION Parashat Ki Tisa marks a pivotal moment in the people’s relationship with God.
Ki Tisa

Parashat Vayishlach

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Stephanie Bernstein
PARASHAT VAYISHLACH STUDY GUIDE THEMES Theme 1: Facing the Inevitable—Jacob’s Struggles with God and Men Theme 2: The Rape of Dinah—the Personal Becomes Political INTRODUCTION In Parashat Vayishlach, God’s promise to make Abraham’s descendants as numerous as “the grains of sand along the seashore” (Genesis 32:13) meets the messy realities
Vayishlach