Today is April 26, 2024 /
Today is April 26, 2024 /
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Hazak, hazak, v’nitchazek “2021 Books” is the name of the google doc I share with my kids in which we record the books we have read. We each have our own page in the document and every time we finish a book we write it down. The page tends to get the most action on Continue Reading »
From the Rabbi’s Desk It is funny how we can read the same passage of Torah year after year and suddenly come across something we did not notice before. (The best way to make that happen is to layn, to read Torah. The process of preparing a Torah reading requires the kind of careful reading Continue Reading »
Thanksgivukkah In 2013, the first day of Hanukkah fell on Thanksgiving, something that never happened before and will never happen again. A crazy big deal was made of the coincidence, complete with parties, songs, excitement, and, this being America, merchandise. Many of you may remember that. You can still find a listing for Thanksgivukkah on Continue Reading »
When I mentioned to one of you that we were having a rabbinic installation, you said: “Well, it is about time! How long have you been here now, 15 months?” Thank you to everyone who worked to make this installation possible. Thank you for this beautiful tallit that I will treasure. Thank you for all Continue Reading »
November 5th 5782 What should we do with information we overhear? Many years ago someone said to me: “I need to come clean. You must have wondered why I never responded to all your friendly overtures over the years. The reason I didn’t accept any of your lovely invitations is that a long time ago Continue Reading »
Does halakhah require vaccination against dangerous diseases? Short answer: Yes. Details: I will share just a few of the many reasons that Jewish law requires vaccination for those who are medically eligible. For greater depth, see the teshuvot of the Conservative Movement’s Committee on Jewish Law and Standards linked below. פיקוח נפש/ preservation of life Continue Reading »
October 15 5782 Where no Jew Had Gone Before This week William Shatner went up in space. For real, not in a simulator, not in a movie, and not at warp speed. His reaction: “Oh, wow! No description can equal this.” William Shatner, of course, played Captain James T. Kirk of the Starship Enterprise in Continue Reading »
October 8th 5782 Of the Olive Branch The flood was over but they were all still living on the ark. Noah sent out a dove to seek dry land. The first time she came back with nothing. Then, the second time Noah sent the dove, she returned with an olive branch in her bill. וַתָּבֹ֨א Continue Reading »
Jeffrey and I finally finished watching the television series Lucifer the other night. Among the themes of the series is the idea of angels and humans producing children together, a strange concept. Would such children be human or angel or something in between? Another take on this theme is Percy Jackson and the Olympians, a Continue Reading »
From the Rabbi’s Desk Livin’ the Good Life I came home last night and said: “Ki tetzei this week. I love parashat ki tetzei”. And Jeffrey cheerfully responded: “Yup. It is my favorite parashah.” I said: “Really? Your favorite?” Jeffrey said: “Bar none.” That got me thinking. What is your favorite parashah? Is it Noah, Continue Reading »
Imagine a king. We do not live in a monarchy but I venture a guess that you had no problem conjuring up an image of a king. Maybe he wore royal robes of red and gold velvet. Maybe he was sitting on a throne. Maybe he held a scepter. But I highly doubt that your Continue Reading »
A question that we have been asking all year — where can we worship God? — is addressed in tomorrow’s Torah portion: כִּ֠י אִֽם־אֶל־הַמָּק֞וֹם אֲשֶׁר־יִבְחַ֨ר יְהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶם֙ מִכׇּל־שִׁבְטֵיכֶ֔ם לָשׂ֥וּם אֶת־שְׁמ֖וֹ שָׁ֑ם לְשִׁכְנ֥וֹ תִדְרְשׁ֖וּ וּבָ֥אתָ שָּֽׁמָּה׃ Look only to the site that the LORD your God will choose amidst all your tribes as habitation, to establish Continue Reading »