Outlining objective morality was achieved at Sinai. Jewish tradition established a system for anchoring ourselves in eternal truths while we launch debates and ask questions about how to achieve a world and lives of holiness. Some say Moses received the… Read More »
PARASHAT BESHALLAH – SHABBAT SHIRAH “Sing to the Lord!” says the Psalms. Both Hermann Cohen and Franz Rozensweig explained that we sing traditional prayers during Jewish rituals to create the grandeur of a vision of harmonized humanity centered around values… Read More »
First – stay on top of the Israel news at: www.timesofisrael.com www.ajc.org www.aipac.org www.memri.org www.jcpa.org https://stories.bringthemhomenow.net/ D’var Torah: Pharoah hardened his heart and would not let the Jewish People out of bondage. We are no strangers to the feeling of… Read More »
REGARDING THE L.A. FIRES GIVE TZEDAKAH TO SUPPORT L.A. Jewish Communities who lost their shuls; provide support for the Los Angeles greater community in need. Donate to the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund and write: FIRE in the note. LEARNING IN HONOR… Read More »
SERMON: “THE SURPRISE ENDING OF GENESIS” The D’var Toarh: When we finish reading the Torah portion this week we will stand together as a community and proclaim: “Hazak, Hazak v’Nithazek” – from strength to strength, let us be strengthened. We… Read More »
The highly charged, emotional moment when Joseph reveals himself to his brothers is the centerpiece of this week’s sedra. There are a number of lessons that our Torah portion imparts: Allow emotions, at the right times, to guide our decisions,… Read More »
Hanukkah is Not a Minor Holiday! Hanukkah is not a minor holiday. I hereby raise it to the same status as Yom Kippur and Pesah! And, if you ask me, the food is better. When we light the lights, we… Read More »
Our Torah readers lineup this week includes youth who are taking on the serious responsibility of continuing our tradition. Come support them and those fellow congregants committed to chanting Torah and haftarah. Come also because the story of Joseph starts… Read More »
It is our story, that of America and that of the Jewish People. Isaac takes up the challenge of his father and mother to continue the story of the Jewish People. He is known as the “father” who did not… Read More »
Sarah was one hundred plus twenty plus seven when she died. She stopped at each of those ages and said “I no longer want to be like this any more.” So powerful was her ability to improve her life’s direction… Read More »