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Rabbi George Altshuler

Rabbi George Altshuler

Rabbi George Altshuler is a chaplain, teacher and writer based in San Francisco. He was previously the assistant rabbi at Congregation Sherith Israel. In 2012 and 2013, he worked as a calendar editor and writer in J.’s newsroom.

Detail from "Phinehas slaying Zimri and Cozbi the Midianite"  (circa 1585 to 1645) by Jeremias van Winghe
Posted inTorah

The dilemma of Pinchas: When do you teach against the text?

Rabbi George Altshuler by Rabbi George Altshuler July 2, 2026July 2, 2026

The Torah column is supported by a generous donation from Eve Gordon-Ramek in memory of Kenneth Gordon. PinchasNumbers 25:10−30:1 Our Torah portion this week contains one of those passages that […]

(Flickr via USDA)
Posted inTorah

Is Jewish tradition OK with eating meat? Is your conscience?

Rabbi George Altshuler by Rabbi George Altshuler March 26, 2026March 26, 2026
"Joseph Interprets Dreams While in Prison" by James Tissot, ca. 1900.
Posted inTorah

In the Torah, as in our world today, everyone is capable of change

Rabbi George Altshuler by Rabbi George Altshuler December 18, 2025December 19, 2025
pogrom painting
Posted inTorah

Call it ‘woke’ if you want, but empathy is embedded in the Jewish psyche

Rabbi George Altshuler by Rabbi George Altshuler September 11, 2025September 18, 2025
Detail of a print from the Phillip Medhurst Collection of Bible illustrations in the possession of the Rev. Philip De Vere at St. George’s Court, Kidderminster, England.
Posted inTorah

Tabernacle’s construction can become a north star for faith in God, ourselves

Rabbi George Altshuler by Rabbi George Altshuler February 27, 2025February 25, 2025
Painting of Biblical Joseph in Egypt
Posted inTorah

Joseph transformed the worst moment in his life into a blessing

Rabbi George Altshuler by Rabbi George Altshuler January 2, 2025January 2, 2025
Miles Teller (left) and J.K. Simmons in "Whiplash." (Daniel McFadden/Sony Pictures Classics)
Posted inTorah

Extreme, self-imposed pressure almost always leads to a breaking point

Rabbi George Altshuler by Rabbi George Altshuler September 26, 2024September 26, 2024
an antique drawing of a great cloud hovering over the mishkan with israelites worshipping
Posted inTorah

We must savor the moments of harmony we are lucky enough to experience

Rabbi George Altshuler by Rabbi George Altshuler June 20, 2024June 20, 2024
A 19th-century painting of Purim partying in Tzfat, Israel (Photo/Wikimedia)
Posted inTorah

Find an excuse to feel some collective Jewish joy

Rabbi George Altshuler by Rabbi George Altshuler March 14, 2024March 14, 2024
(From left) Zilpah, Rachel and Dinah help Bilhah during childbirth in the 2014 TV miniseries "The Red Tent."
Posted inTorah

To reckon with history, stay open to new narratives

Rabbi George Altshuler by Rabbi George Altshuler November 22, 2023November 21, 2023

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