Author

  • Dan Ornstein headshot

    Dan Ornstein is the rabbi of Congregation Ohav Shalom, a writer and a teacher living with his family in Albany, New York. He is the author of Cain v Abel: A Jewish Courtroom Drama (Jewish Publication Society, 2020). Check out his website at www.danornstein.com

Picture of Rabbi Dan Ornstein

Rabbi Dan Ornstein

Dan Ornstein is the rabbi of Congregation Ohav Shalom, a writer and a teacher living with his family in Albany, New York. He is the author of Cain v Abel: A Jewish Courtroom Drama (Jewish Publication Society, 2020). Check out his website at www.danornstein.com

My Posts

Words As Weapons: The Story Of Rabbi Yochanan And Resh Lakish

Words As Weapons: The Story Of Rabbi Yochanan And Resh Lakish

This story exemplifies how our rabbinic sages teach us about how we avoid using our words as fatal weapons and what happens when we fail.
April 3, 2025 Every Day Human interactions
Why Are We Violent? A “Cain And Abel” Perspective

Why Are We Violent? A “Cain And Abel” Perspective

The rabbinic treatment of the Cain and Abel story warns us about our inclinations towards violence and how we encounter others.
April 3, 2025 Parashat Bereshit Parashat Bereshit Dvar Torah

How Far Should One Go to Make Peace?

How far should one go to make peace? We can learn the answer to this from looking at stories of how Aaron makes peace.
February 18, 2025 Daily Living Every Day
“Peace is Great!” A Challenging Jewish Teaching

“Peace is Great!”  A Challenging Jewish Teaching

Achieving true peace here on earth is a tremendous task which we can fully accomplish only when we have God pushing us to do so.
November 24, 2024 Derekh Eretz Zuta Ideas
Fury and Fermentation: A Hasidic Teaching for Pesach

Fury and Fermentation

Learn about fury and fermentation, the concept that our anger could be spiritual hametz during Pesach and all year-round.
March 13, 2024 Every Day Holidays
Just the Tip of the Etrog

Just the Tip of the Etrog

Reflecting on the idea that a tiny, fragile protuberance can make an entire ritual object unfit for use is absurd. Here's what it teaches us.
September 23, 2022 High Holidays Holidays
Could The Terminator Do Teshuvah?

Could The Terminator Do Teshuvah?

Rabbi Dan Ornstein teaches us: human freedom is ineradicable and that our dignity is predicated upon our moral responsibility.
September 16, 2022 High Holidays Holidays

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