(Written on 6/30/14) I had hoped and prayed for a miracle – that they would be rescued by the Israeli army in a daring raid like Entebbe, but as I searched my email for a Bat Mitzvah student’s D’var Torah draft for the portion Re-eh, I found a message from JNF: ” This afternoon the […]
Understanding the Conundrum
Much happens in Parshat Chukat, Miriam dies. Moses, still grieving for his sister and stressing under his long held burden of leading a quarrelsome, complaining group, hits the rock instead of ordering it to bring forth water as G-d had commanded, and though water rushes forth, he is told he will not enter the Promised […]
What Are Your Tzitzit?
“They shall make fringe on the corner of their garments throughout the generations.. and you shall have the fringe so you will see it and bring to mind all of Adonai’s commandments and will do them, and you will not go around after your heart and after your eyes.. So you will bring to mind […]
Starting Over, Starting Up, Reviewing and Re-thinking….Again!
Even though I haven’t posted in many months, I continued teaching until the school year ended in April. This year’s one day a week religious school/Hebrew school format was not really a successful educational experience for many families for a variety of reasons, so we’re returning to the two day a week schedule for the […]
Don’t Get the Gimmies!
Ads for every new gadget a man “must have” fill my e-mail as Father’s Day approaches. Last month it was, of course, everything a mother might want. Brides and grads will come next. And just in case e-mail, commercials, and the amazing algorithms that allow “just the right ads” to pop up on my Facebook […]
How Do You Identify?
Jewish identity is a “hot topic” (once again) this week following the release of the podcast and related materials from a March event at Brandeis University focused on Jewish Identity and Education. Data about engagement in Jewish life and the daily choices and reduced religious involvement of Millenials and individuals of all ages across all […]
Strengthening Each Other
“Lo tov – It is not good for a human to be alone.” So we are told in the very first Torah portion, Parshat Beresheet (2:18). G-d determined that Adam needed a partner – an ayzer k’negdo. While these words are often translated as “helpmate, I prefer the more literal translation offered by Biblical scholar […]
Accept the Gift and Use It Well
This week in Parshat B’har we are reminded to allow time for rest, not just for ourselves, but also for our workers and the land. We are told that the land is to rest every seven years. As our ancestors were farmers this also meant that they would be able to have time to pause […]
Making Sacred Time
This week’s parsha, reminds us that we are commanded to make and observe sacred time. Parshat Emor specifically references the need to make time to observe the Shalosh Regalim – the three Pilgrimage festivals of Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot. And these festivals can, indeed, fill us with joy and refresh our souls. Gone are the […]
I Can Teach!
The essence of Torah, according to Rabbi Hillel, is “What is hateful to you, do not do to another. All the rest is commentary; go forth and learn it.” Had I ever been offered the honor to sit and learn with Rabbi Hillel, I might have asked him (if I’d dared to speak) one small […]
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