The Meaning of Sound
What does sound mean to you? Sound plays many roles. It is a vehicle for communication, music, and even distraction, but at its root sound is the simple indicator of life.
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Read the full story »Purim: Celebrating the Inner Battle
A Curious Distinction
Among the many rituals observed during the holiday of Purim are those of Mishloach Manot, sending food baskets to fellow Jews, and Matanot Laevyonim, sharing gifts with the poor.
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Ki Tisa: The Money Trap
Forgetting G-d
Moses was atop Mount Sinai, but he was slated to return the day before. When he failed to return on the designated day, the people worried that G-d may have taken him. They feared that he might never return and asked Aaron to create a new material G-d. (1)
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KI TISA: A True Leader
Moses’ Reaction
In this Parsha we read about the golden calf. When he saw the calf, Moses hurled the sacred tablets to the ground and meted out strict punishment to the sinners. Having vented his frustration Moses returned to G-d and pleaded for forgiveness on behalf of the Jewish people.
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KI Tisa: Transformation of a Coin
Coins Of Fire
In this week’s Parsha we read that by contributing half-silver coins to the tabernacle’s building fund our ancestors earned atonement for their souls. The Midrash relates that Moshe wondered how atonement could result from simple silver coinage? In response G-d showed Moshe a coin made of fire. How …
KI Tisa: Shabbos and the Jew
Question
Why are the laws of Shabbat overruled when human life is at stake?
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Tetzave: Every Jew Counts
Change of Attire
I once worked for a man whose personality changed as often as his attire. At the office he exuded a sense of competence and leadership, his manner as crisp as his professional attire. At home he exuded friendship and camaraderie, his manner as relaxed as his casual attire.
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Vayikra: Every Jew is Crucial
Why?
“Rabbi,” he said to me, “Why is it that in some Jewish circles I am seen as a lesser Jew? I was born to a Jewish mother, but I don’t practice very much. Am I any less Jewish than other Jews?”
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Terumah: Beyond the Call of Duty
Asking for Help?
As a rabbi in a small community, I am often approached by congregants, who need to recite the Kaddish, for help with Minyan recruitment. Before I respond to the call of duty and agree to recruit, I always ask the congregant to go beyond the call of duty …
Parsha Insights »
Vayigash: The True Meaning of Tolerance
Can We Tolerate Tolerance?
Have you ever been in the ironic position where someone accused of lacking tolerance and in the process turned intolerant toward you? Sadly, such occasions are commonplace nowadays. Just think of the riots that swept America post election, when people rampaged and pillaged in the name of …
Yearly Cycle »
Shoftim: Unity
Reports and Plans
This week we enter the month of Elul, the last month and culmination of the entire year. By Jewish tradition, Elul is a month of reflection and introspection. We review our behavior of the past year and generate an end of year report. Just as you receive an …
Concepts »
Balak: I Am Blessed
Blessed Blessing
It was a happy time for the Jews; they were on their way to Israel. But the nations in the vicinity were most unhappy. One of those nations, Moab, hired Balaam the soothsayer to curse the Jews.
Balaam attempted to curse the Jews, but every time he attempted to curse, …
Rabbi’s Desk »
What Can We Do?
These past two days have been the most difficult for our people in the last fifty years. It was Simchat Torah, a time for rejoicing, yet it was a time of horror. Nearly a thousand members of our family were brutally murdered, more than a hundred were taken hostage, and …
