Over the pandemic, one of my sins has been personifying COVID. I have found myself saying COVID has taken away opportunities to be together, to mourn together, to gather in large groups safely. I have found myself saying COVID brings out our selfish natures and COVID is divisive. COVID has...
This week we began the Jewish month of Elul, which is the month when we start the preparation for the High Holy Days. The Hebrew Month of Elul is comprised of these Hebrew letters– aleph, lamed, vav, lamed – which is known in the Talmud, as the acronym for “Ani...
At the beginning of our Shabbat Morning Service, we recite a Blessing for Torah Study. Even though we specifically also have a Torah Service and Reading later in the service, the reading of Torah is throughout our liturgy. One example of this is the recitation of the “Shema” and “V’ahavta”...
In this week’s Torah portion, Matot- Masey we close the book of Numbers. The words: Matot-Masey, mean “tribes-journeys.” At the end of the portion two of the 12 tribes, tell Moses that they would like to stay outside of the Promised Land. The tribes of Gad and Reuben felt that...
In the Sheva B’rachot, the traditional seven wedding blessings, the final blessings make reference to the joy of children at play, and the joyous sounds of shouting and singing that happens when we gather together in celebrations. Over the pandemic, I often thought about this blessing. We live close to...
In this week’s Torah portion, Shelach L’cha, it tells us that spies are sent out ahead of our people to scout the Land of Israel to report on the inhabitants and the country. Despite the positive report of Joshua and Caleb, that the land was “flowing with milk and honey,”...
The recent events in Israel are very disconcerting and we are praying for those under attack who have to keep running to their bomb shelters. Our hearts go out to those who are undergoing these harrowing attacks and living in these dangerous times. Complexity exists in our beloved Israel. The...
One of Judaism’s greatest contributions to civilization is Shabbat. Shabbat literally means “day of rest” but Shabbat is really much more than that. Shabbat is also a day of holiness, Torah and celebration. Shabbat is more than the cessation from work. Ultimately, it is the basis of modern labor law...
I have been a cantor now for 21 years and was a student cantor for 3 years. In those 24 years of officiating at B’nai Mitzvahs, I could never call myself “the parent” of a Bar or Bat Mitzvah student….until now. I have had the honor of standing by the side of...
This week’s Torah portion is a double one: Vayakhel-Pekudei Exodus 35:1–40:38. These portions are a continuation of the description of the building of the “Mishkan-“our sacred place where God dwells within. Four parshas of the Torah focus on the building of the “mishkan” whereas one parsha focuses on the creation of...
