Tidbits of Torah

Shabbat Parashat Yitro We Are One January 21, 2022 – 20 Shevat 5782

Posted on January 21, 2022

Dear Friends, Since my Sabbatical begins this Sunday, this will be the final Tidbits of Torah until I return from my Sabbatical on May 9th.  During my Sabbatical, I will be spending some time in Israel and I look forward to coming back refreshed! This has been a difficult week and I want to reflect Continue Reading »

Shabbat Parashat B’Shalach Shabbat Shirah Miriam’s Timbrel and Us January 14, 2022 – 13 Shevat 5782

Posted on January 14, 2022

Dear Friends, What does Miriam’s Timbrel have to do with us? This week we will be reading the Song of the Sea which was recited right after the Israelites crossed the Red Sea and saw that they were safe.  Moses and the Israelites sang the Song of the Sea.  Miriam took out her timbrel and Continue Reading »

Shabbat Parashat Bo Creativity Is A Plus January 7, 2022 – 6 Shevat 5782

Posted on January 7, 2022

Dear Friends, A stand out piece of our weekly Torah portion, to my mind, is what Moses says to Pharaoh in Exodus 10:25-26: And Moses said: “You too shall give sacrifices and burnt offerings into our hands…And also our cattle will go with us; not a hoof will remain, for we will take from it Continue Reading »

Shabbat Parashat Va’era Shabbat Mevarekhim HaChodesh A Blessing for 2022 December 31, 2021 – 28 Tevet 5782

Posted on December 31, 2021

Dear Friends, This Shabbat we will say a special prayer for the upcoming new Jewish month of Shevat!  Rosh Chodesh Shevat will be on Sunday night and Monday of this coming week.  May it be a month of blessing, of healing, of health, and of joy. We are also welcoming the start of 2022.  This Continue Reading »

Shabbat Parashat Shemot The Blessing of a Name

Posted on December 27, 2021

Dear Friends, One of the most beautiful things about being part of a kehilla kedosha – a sacred congregation – is the fact that most of us know the names of most of our fellow congregants!  It is a blessing for us to be known by our names. I mention this today because I recently Continue Reading »

Shabbat Parashat Vayechi Blessing Our Children

Posted on December 17, 2021

Dear Friends, It is our custom to bless our children on Friday nights and, as part of that blessing, we use the words that our Patriarch, Jacob, used in blessing Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Menashe.  These words appear in our Torah portion of Vayechi (Genesis 48:20).  Then, we add the three-fold blessing:  May God bless Continue Reading »

Shabbat Parashat Miketz Shabbat Rosh Chodesh Tevet – Day 1 Shabbat Chanukah – Day 6 Recalling Our Dreams

Posted on December 3, 2021

Dear Friends, This Shabbat we celebrate Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh and Chanukah!  Lots of joy and lots of hope!  And, we will enjoy the first of a three part presentation on Jewish Ethics by our own Rabbi Professor Dr. Richard Freund!  I hope you won’t miss this wonderful opportunity whether you are able to join us Continue Reading »

Shabbat Parashat Vayeshev Shabbat Mevarekhim HaChodesh Give it a Try!

Posted on November 26, 2021

Hopefully, you have enjoyed Thanksgiving and will continue having a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend as well. This Shabbat we will recite the blessing for the new upcoming Jewish month of Tevet.  Rosh Chodesh Tevet will be a week from now, on Friday night, Saturday and Sunday and, in anticipation of the new month of Tevet, we Continue Reading »

Shabbat Parashat Toledot Facing our Truth

Posted on November 5, 2021

Dear Friends, Why, of course, I tell the truth!  But, then again, maybe I bend the truth from time to time…. Judaism teaches us that God is Truth.   And yet, we humans, who are created in the image of God, don’t always tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.  Most Continue Reading »

Shabbat Parashat Chayey Sarah Shabbat Mevarekhim HaChodesh Seasons of Our Lives

Posted on October 29, 2021

Dear Friends, This Shabbat we will be reciting the prayer for the upcoming new Jewish month of Kislev. Rosh Chodesh Kislev will be on Thursday night and Friday of this coming week. And Chanukah will be celebrated beginning toward the end of the month of Kislev…May it be a month of joy, of good health, Continue Reading »