An award-winning speaker, popular teacher, and experienced officiant.
“Man can alter his life by changing his thinking”
~ William James
An award-winning speaker, popular teacher, and experienced officiant.
“Man can alter his life by changing his thinking”
~ William James
Rabbinic Services
Rabbi Allen is ready to serve your needs in a variety of capacities. He is an award-winning speaker, popular teacher, and experienced officiant.
Speaker
Teacher
Officiant
Rabbi Allen is pleased to meet with you to discuss officiating at your wedding. With the experience of officiating at more than four hundred weddings, Rabbi Allen can customize each …
Books
In addition to the scholarly articles he has contributed to peer reviewed publications, Rabbi Allen has edited two books on Jewish law and co-written along with Harvey Haber a book of introductory prayers for various occasions. Rabbi Allen has also made a significant contribution to the understanding of Jewish theology, philosophy, history, and religious practice through his books.
Thinking About Good And Evil: Jewish Views From Antiquity To Modernity
The most comprehensive book on the topic, Thinking about Good and Evil traces the most salient Jewish ideas about why innocent people seem to suffer, why evil individuals seem to prosper, and God’s role in such matters of (in)justice, from antiquity to the present.
Outlook & Insights
Citron Over Peppercorns – Sukkot 5784
Accoding to the Torah (Leviticus 23:40), the rituals of Sukkot include “taking” the fruit of a beautiful tree. What, exactly, fits this terse description is subject to dispute. Tradition maintains...
Telling Children – Ha’azinu 5784
Stylistically, biblical Hebrew frequently includes phrases that are parallels, especially in the poetic portions. And this is the simple and likely explanation for the verse (Deuteronomy 32:7): “Ask...
We are More Than Our Sins – Rosh Hashanah 5784
Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel Les Miserables serves as the story for one of the most successful theatrical musicals of all time, both on Broadway and London’s West End. But it also serves as a platform...
To Value the Torah – Nitzavim-VaYelekh 5783
As Moses nears his death, he continues to lecture the people on God’s expectations. It is what biblical scholar Professor Jeffrey H. Tigay calls “the summons to the covenant.” He assures the people...
Use It or Lose It – Ki Tavo 5783
The peroration that dominates chapter 28 in the book of Deuteronomy is followed by a passage at the beginning of chapter 29 that features a mysterious verse. Given the central focus of the...
Just Say No – Ki Tetze 5783
The sages assert (Babylonian Talmud, Berakhot 25a and parallels) that “the Torah was not given to ministering angels.” The implication is that human beings, unlike the angels, are creatures with...