This week’s Parshiot, a double, Matot-Maasey, is quite disturbing. Not surprisingly, it coincides with the incredulous events taking place in Israel today, specifically, the challenges to the judicial system and the threat to an already fragile democratic society. It parallels the Parsha in the sense that how a people acquires the power, morally and spiritually, to succeed in creating a society based upon justice and loving kindness is in question. Do we not see this struggle in many countries throughout the world?
Read MoreLast week the Book of Numbers, VaYikra, opened with animal sacrifices and how animals and other kinds of offerings were intended to draw the people closer (korban) to God and to each other.
Read MoreThis Shabbat is known as the Shabbat Zachor, the Sabbath of Remembrance. Since it is the Sabbath preceding Purim, the special Haftarah, a reading from the Prophets, recalls how Samuel instructs Saul to “strike down Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, killing every man, women and child, ox and sheep, camel and ass.”
Read MoreIt’s good to be back. It’s hard to say being in Israel was relaxing. I want to the thank Melissa, our administrative assistant, for watching over the business of Am Kolel while I was away. I also wish to thank Susan Zemsky, friend and recently retired executive director of Temple Shalom, for her help getting us ready for our next phase. As you know we will be reestablishing our primary center back in the lower part of the County.
Read MoreMa Laasot? “So what can you do?”, as the Hebrew translates. What can we do in the midst of a barrage of bad news from Ukraine to Jewish settler violence to the shootings of members of the LGBTQ community, students and, now shoppers at a Walmart in Virginia?
Read MoreThis week’s Parsha, VaYera, can make you dizzy with the tests and challenges presented to Avraham and Sarah. The Parsha opens up with Avraham sitting in front of his tent recovering from his brit milah at the age of 99. While sitting there, he is approached by three strangers. Forgetting his pain he jumps up and welcomes them with open arms, providing them with food and drink. Did they know he was convalescing? Were they performing the Mitzvah of Bikkur Cholim, visiting the sick? We do learn later that they were the angels, according to rabbinic tradition, Michael, Gabriel and Raphael (the angel of healing). We see how these visitors lifted Avraham from his pain and, forgetting his pain, he performs the Mitzvah of Hachnasat Orchim, welcoming guests. How many of us know that when we visit someone who is ill, they can indeed be relieved of their pain?
Read MoreMoadim L’Simchah! “Holidays are for joy!” These words are among several phrases we offer each other this week of Sukkot, as we are now in the intermediate days of our harvest festival. The weather has certainly been gorgeous outdoors. The purposeful connection to nature is intense and awesome.
Read MoreEkev is a great Parsha! It becomes even clearer that G!d is in need of our right actions in order to be Godself. This understanding is explored beautifully in the teachings of Abraham Joshua Heschel is his work God in Search of Man.
Read MoreLoss is a major theme in this week’s Parsha, Chukat. Almost immediately after last week’s parsha and the challenges to Moses’ leadership, he is now faced with the deaths of Miriam and, then, at the close of the pasha, of Aaron. Not only were they his siblings, but, they were co-founders and his closest allies in the birth of the Israelite nation and the Jewish people. When Miriam dies, rather than mourn the loss, they complain to Moses about who is now going to provide them with water as Miriam had done in the past. Aaron, however, is mourned for 30 days. This disservice to Miriam still needs to be rectified. We have tried to do that at our Shabbat of Chukat Service in past years and will do so again this week.
Read MoreI’d like to introduce you to a relatively new organization, JWI, Jewish Women International. JWI is described as “the leading Jewish organization working to empower women and girls of every race, culture, ability, gender identity, and sexual orientation. “
Read MoreThe first several verses of Parsha Tazria describe a healing process for women postpartum. How does this fit into the narrative of Leviticus?
Read MoreFrom out of the emotional turmoil and accusations of disloyalty in the previous Parsha there emerges reconciliation, forgiveness and deeper acceptance in the covenantal promise. A difficult transition has taken place in the consciousness of the nation and they are now ready to commit and take personal and collective responsibility for the future.
Read MoreRecently, we lost two beloved members of our community, Marcia Wagner, of blessed memory and Edgar Cahn, of blessed memory. They passed this last weekend.
Read MoreFinally, something is going in a good direction in this week's Parsha. After the darkness of the previous sedrahs, we now see some light. We see a Teshuvah process in full view where Joseph, who, himself underwent deep transformative and radical therapy, has now, wisely, designed a program to bring his brothers to a place of Teshuvah and, finally, a much needed family reconciliation and healing.
Read MoreDiane and I just returned from celebrating our son Dani’s wedding in Jerusalem. We feel very blessed that he found Chana, a woman who also shares a love of learning, acts of chesed, modesty and a special closeness to the spiritual life.
Read MoreNo doubt you will be receiving this newsletter as we enter Yom Kippur. Please read the newsletter when you get a chance because it contains information about upcoming activities and resources that you may find meaningful and enjoy.
Read MoreOne thing about the tragedy of what’s happening in Afghanistan is that few agree on who is to blame. The role of the US since 9/11 has a lot of folks wondering. But nearly everyone agrees that our government, and other governments, must do whatever is possible to save the lives of thousands of Afghani men, women, children, journalists and others.
Read MoreThis Shabbat, we begin anew the Book of Deuteronomy, D’varim, and listen to the farewell addresses given by Moses before the Israelites enter Canaan. D’varim is a review of the journey of the Israelites and a review of the laws and teachings that have been the foundational teachings of the Jewish people since.
Read MoreFirst of all, our hearts go out to all the victims of the collapsed Champlain Towers in south Florida. Our deepest concern for all those who are suffering through the terrible heat wave in the northwestern U.S. So much suffering continues around the globe due to Covid, especially, in India, Africa and Brazil.
Read MoreThe recent Shavuot festival should remind us of the commitment our ancestors made and renewed throughout the generations to be a Covenantal People, committed to certain values and the pursuit of peace and justice. Sadly, if we review the Ten Statements of Principles, ( the Ten Commandments), our people are not doing well. The government of Israel and Jewish organizations that support the continued violations of humans rights and the violence are desecrating our heritage and not respecting our ancestors.
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