When G-d disciplines us, the pain is real—but it is born of love. When He gives freely, we feel His kindness. When He withholds or corrects, His love is less visible—but in truth, it runs even deeper.
Read the full story »Rosh Hashanah: The mystery of Good and Evil
L'Shana Tova
On Rosh Hashana, Jews traditionally greet each other with the words L’shana Tova Tikatev Vetichatem, May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year. It is interesting to note that we don’t wish for a year of happiness or health, peace or serenity, freedom or fulfillment, pleasure or …
Passover: He Does not Abandon
Where Is G-d?
There was once a young, fun loving, boy full of vigor and spunk. One day, having acted up during Hebrew School, the boy was called into the rabbi’s office. From under his heavy eyebrows, the rabbi’s deep-set eyes peered out at the child. In a soft but firm …
New Year Greeting 5761: The Passage of Time
A Year in London Ontario
As the New Year approaches it is time
to sit back and reflect upon the past twelve months and all that has
transpired therein. From a personal perspective, Basie and I look back
to a wonderful period of settling in, meeting new friends and being
warmly accepted into the London …
High Holiday Season: A Time for Prayer
Turning To G-d
The High Holiday season is observed throughout Jewish world with fervor, reverence and awe. To Jews, it is a time for prayer and supplication, repentance and return, and most importantly, judgment and justice.
We hope that our entreaties are heard and our needs fulfilled, that our sins are pardoned …
Passover: Freedom from Limitation
Throughout the World
Passover commemorates the exodus of the ancient Hebrew slaves from Egypt, their subsequent forty-year journey through the desert, and their ultimate entry into Israel, the Promised Land.
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Passover: Journey Forth
Four Schools of Thought
As our ancestors stood poised before the Red Sea, an argument broke out and in true Jewish fashion there was more then one school of thought. The Midrash describes the four different schools of thought that prevailed. (a) Fatalism – Let’s drown ourselves in the sea (b) …
Seventenn of Tamuz: Destruction and Hope
During the Hebrew month of Tamuz, Jews around the world observe a three-week semi mourning period to commemorate the destruction of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem.
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Yom Kippur: A Midrashic Account
A Stolen Gem
The Midrash relates that “when Moshe ascended to the supernal abode he heard the angels singing the words 'Baruch Shem Kevod Malchuso Leolam Vaed' and upon his descent he taught it to the Jewish people. Why does Israel not proclaim these words in public? Says, Rabbi Asi, this …
Parsha Insights »
As The Hostages Come Home
As the hostages return home, they revel in their freedom, but at some point, they will ask themselves why they were liberated. What is their new purpose? What must they do with their newfound freedom?
Before the Exodus from Egypt, G-d gave us two commandments: circumcision and the paschal lamb. Why …
Yearly Cycle »
Yom Kippur: Remove the Muck
The Baal Shem Tov is said to have once heard a cantor confessing his sins on Yom Kippur to a joyful melody. The Baal Shem Tov asked him why he was so happy? The cantor replied that if he had the privilege to remove the garbage from the king’s palace, …
Concepts »
Let Us Stop School Massacres
It is a terrible tragedy, a heinous scene, words cannot describe it and the camera dare not capture it. The grimace plastered on grim faces of devastated fathers, the haunted look in the eyes of howling mothers, children screaming, teachers herding, police officers protecting and the most horrific of all, …
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 …
