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March 16, 2024 – 11:20 pm | Comments Off on Purim: A Nation United42 views

The die was cast. King Achashverosh granted Haman a genocidal license against the Jewish nation. Mordechai was one of the first to learn of the plot and he appealed to Queen Esther for help. Esther explained that it was dangerous even for her to enter the king’s chambers unbidden. Mordechai …

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Articles tagged with: joy

Nitzavim: Tears of Joy

August 28, 2021 – 10:57 pm | Comments Off on Nitzavim: Tears of Joy2,213 views
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 The eyes of a Jew on Rosh Hashanah—the annual day of judgment, are often filled with tears and remorse. We know we will be judged for our behavior. We also know that some of our behavior has been compulsive, some of our personality has been toxic, and some of our …

Ki Tavo: The Joy Imperative

August 20, 2021 – 2:17 pm | Comments Off on Ki Tavo: The Joy Imperative873 views
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Joy is an imperative in the Jewish tradition. In describing the terrible calamities in store for our people if we turn from G-d, the Torah says it will occur, “because you did not serve G-d, your G-d, with happiness and gladness of heart, when [you had an] abundance of everything.”[1]
In …

Sukkot: From the Fast to the Party

October 6, 2019 – 12:12 am | Comments Off on Sukkot: From the Fast to the Party1,555 views
the party-innerstream.ca

The party begins on Sukkot. The first ten days of the year are somber. Rosh Hashanah is the day of judgement, then next week are the days of repentance, and Yom Kippur is the fast. After the fast, our festivals take a radical turn and we move from the fast …

Pinchas: From Tragedy to Joy

July 24, 2016 – 10:54 pm | Comments Off on Pinchas: From Tragedy to Joy2,697 views
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More Tragedy
As the summer months arrived, we learned of more black lives killed by police shootings. After the rash of police shootings last summer and the resultant furor, we would have expected the police to introduce responsible measures to reduce tragedy, but whatever measures were taken, were simply not enough. …

Passover: You Are Unique

April 13, 2014 – 9:28 pm | Comments Off on Passover: You Are Unique6,825 views
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You Are One
Ezekiel famously said, “Echad Hayah Avraham,” Abraham was one.[1] Ezekiel was speaking to the fact that Abraham was promised the land of Israel on his own merit because he stood utterly and completely alone in defiance of contemporary culture. Abraham was willing to be unique.

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Vayikra: Self Esteem

March 2, 2014 – 4:29 am | Comments Off on Vayikra: Self Esteem3,003 views
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I Am A Failure
I recently met someone who complained of a failing self-esteem. I can’t find a job, I can’t make ends meet and I’m constantly worried about money. How can I look my children in the eyes, if I’m sure they have lost respect for me? I am a …

The Festival and Shabbat

September 25, 2013 – 4:05 am | Comments Off on The Festival and Shabbat6,738 views
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Sanctity and Joy
When a Jewish festival falls on Friday, it merges directly  into Shabbat. This gives us pause as we reflect on the differences between the festival and Shabbat.

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Simchat Torah: On Foot

October 5, 2012 – 8:55 pm | Comments Off on Simchat Torah: On Foot3,943 views
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The Odd Celebration
Simchat Torah is a festive holiday. We carry the Torah scroll around the Bimah (Torah reading table) and dance the night away. The reason for this great joy is the completion of our annual cycle of Torah reading.[1] Every Shabbat we chant a portion from the Torah and …