Tidbits of Torah

Shabbat Parashat Ki Tissa Shabbat Parah Social Distancing and Torah!

Posted on March 16, 2020

Dear Friends, In light of our current situation which includes recommendations of “social distancing”, I share with you a wonderful reading by Rabbi Yosef Kanevsky: “Every hand that we don’t shake must become a phone call that we place. Every embrace that we avoid must become a verbal expression of warmth and concern. Every inch Continue Reading »

Shabbat Parashat Tetzaveh Shabbat Zachor Let’s Show Up on Shabbat and Then Let’s Have a Happy Purim!

Posted on March 6, 2020

Dear Friends, Although a Jewish community as a whole is supposed to do everything in its power to ensure that there is a minyan present at all services, there is usually no personal obligation for any Jewish individual to be present at any particular service….However, this Shabbat is the exception to the rule! On this Continue Reading »

Shabbat Parashat Terumah Paths of Holiness

Posted on March 3, 2020

Dear Friends, I hope you will join us for services this Friday evening as we celebrate volunteers in all spheres of life. Come to hear about the various places and ways in which our congregational friends voluntarily give of their time, resources and talents for the good of others! Coincidentally, this week we read the Continue Reading »

Shabbat Parashat Mishpatim, Shabbat Shekalim, Shabbat Mevarekhim HaChodesh – From Slave to Liberator

Posted on February 21, 2020

Dear Friends, I have always been disturbed by the sudden drop from the heights of redemption and of the receiving of the Torah on Mount Sinai in last week’s Torah portion to the mundane laws about slavery that we learn about in this week’s Torah portion.  What a let down!  What a disappointment! However, this Continue Reading »

Shabbat Parashat Yitro Parents and Children

Posted on February 14, 2020

Dear Friends, I hope you will join us this Shabbat as we celebrate the baby naming of Midge Elizabeth, daughter of Sara Traster and David Harriss!  Mazal Tov Midge’s entire family! We will officially give Midge her Hebrew name during the Torah service on Shabbat morning and toward the end of the service we will Continue Reading »

Shabbat Parashat Bo More Ways Than One…

Posted on January 31, 2020

Dear Friends, It’s nice to know what to expect when we come to services. It’s nice to feel comfortable in our surroundings. Yet, when Moses asks Pharaoh to let our people go so that they may worship God, Moses tells Pharaoh something surprising. Moses tells Pharaoh that he cannot know in advance how exactly will Continue Reading »

Shabbat Parashat Shemot Stand Up for What Is Right!

Posted on January 17, 2020

Dear Friends, It’s often hard to decide when to act and when to let something slide….  In our weekly Torah portion, Shemot, we read of Pharaoh’s decree to drown the newborn baby boys, born to the Israelite people in Egypt.  Joseph died and was forgotten.  The good that Joseph had done for Egypt was, seemingly, Continue Reading »

Shabbat Parashat Vayechi What Are We Waiting For…

Posted on January 10, 2020

Dear Friends, What are we waiting for….When does the life we hope to live actually begin? Traditionally, Jews are always aware of what is not yet completely perfect in ourselves and in the world around us.  Traditionally, Jews are waiting for the Messianic era and anticipating a time when a true, lasting and pervasive peace Continue Reading »

Shabbat Parashat VaYigash Shepherds at Heart

Posted on January 3, 2020

Dear Friends, Have you ever wondered why our ancestors were shepherds?  Have you ever wondered why Moses was a shepherd?  Why Rachel was tending the flocks of her father when Jacob first saw her?  Why, in our weekly Torah portion, Joseph instructs his newly re-united family to present themselves to Pharaoh in Egypt, as shepherds? Continue Reading »

Shabbat Parashat Mikkets Shabbat Rosh Chodesh Tevet – Day 1 Chanukah – Day 6 Happy and Healthy 2020

Posted on December 27, 2019

Dear Friends, This Shabbat we will have special treats at Rodef Sholom Temple.  Don’t miss the fun! On Friday night, after our service, we will have a special Chanukah dinner, followed by Game Night!  I hope to see you there! Then, tomorrow morning we will inaugurate our new three part Parsha and Archaeology series during Continue Reading »