Shabbat Message, April 16, 2021, Parashat Tazria-Metzora

Click HERE (video) for the sermon The Most Consequential Sentences and Sentiments About Israel at 73. This past week we commemorated Yom HaZikaron and celebrated Yom HaAtzmaut. We remember, with love, all those who paid the highest price for the establishment of Medinat Yisrael and in acts of terror against the Jewish People. And we celebrate with Am Yisrael 73 years of new light from Zion! Herzl’s and Ben Gurion’s words still stir, and not sure I agree with Amos Oz’s feelings.

Click HERE (video) for Torah study with Rashi Taming the Tongue, Stop the Twittering, Leviticus 14:1-4. Rashi popularized the connection between the Rabbinic texts that linked biblical leprosy and lashon hara, evil speech and slander. Malicious talk is part of our nature, and the Torah was prophetic about the abuse of social media that we experience every day. Malicious talk and libelous language is a sickness according to the Torah and our sources. Rashi reminds us to tame our tongues.