The High Holy Day liturgy reflects the dichotomy of our relationship with God. Prayers such as Avinu Malkenu (Page 92*) capture the duality of Divine transcendence and immanence. As we reach out to God in prayer, we call upon Avinu, our father. In doing so we evoke a relationship with the Holy One that is Continue Reading »
In the weeks ahead we will wish each other, family and friends, Shana Tovah, as an heartfelt expression of our hopes that the person experience a good year, a year filled with health, happiness and blessing. In extending this greeting, we understand the Hebrew word “shana” as meaning year but the Hebrew root Shin Nun Continue Reading »
You stand this day, all of you, before the Lord your God — your tribal heads, your elders and your officials, all the men of Israel, your children, your wives, even the stranger within your camp, from woodchopper to water drawer — to enter into the covenant of the Lord your God, which the Lord your God Continue Reading »
And Moses called all of Israel and said to them, “You have seen all that the Lord did before your very eyes in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh, to all his servants, and to all his land; the great trials which your very eyes beheld and those great signs and wonders. Yet until this Continue Reading »
1 If you see your fellow’s ox or sheep gone astray, do not ignore it; you must take it back to your fellow. 2 If your fellow does not live near you or you do not know who he is, you shall bring it home and it shall remain with you until your fellow claims it; then you Continue Reading »
The news of Hamas’ execution of six hostages has cast a dark, mournful shadow over Israel and the entire Jewish people. Like you, I am devastated and furious at the news of the murders of Hersh Goldberg-Polin z”l, Almog Sarusi z”l, Alex Lobanov z”l, Carmel Gat z”l, Eden Yerushalmi z”l, and Ori Danino z”l. For nearly a Continue Reading »
Dear Friends, If there appears among you a prophet… saying, “Let us follow and worship another god”… do not heed the words of that prophet… he shall be put to death; for he urged disloyalty to the Lord your God… If your brother… or your closest friend entices you in secret, saying, “Come let us Continue Reading »
Therefore, shall you place these my words in your heart and in your soul; and you shall bind them as a sign upon your hand, and they shall be as totafot between your eyes. D’varim / Deuteronomy 11:18 Rashbam1, one of the great medieval commentators who primarily focuses on the Peshat, the Continue Reading »
I pleaded with the Lord at that time… Devarim / Deuteronomy 3:23 Rabbi Shmuel Bornsztain1, in his commentary to the Torah, Shem Mishmuel, cites a teaching of his grandfather, Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Kotzk2, who taught regarding our verse, “These things sit upon the heart like a stone, waiting for a unique moment when the Continue Reading »
These are the words that Moses addressed to all Israel on the other side of the Jordan. Devarim / Deuteronomy 1:1 The Gra1 parsed the opening words of this passage giving particular emphasis to the middle phrase. “These are the words that Moses addressed to”, the central and essential element that Moshe urged Continue Reading »
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