Rabbi Daniel Bouskila: Sephardic Torah from the Holy Land Eleven Months Later, Elul is Here…Finally
Eleven months is the traditional period of mourning. But Elul also brings light – the light that comes from self-examination and soul searching.
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, z’l: Ki Teitse Two Types of Hate
Rabbi Sacks addresses the conundrum of Moses’ commands regarding the Egyptians vs the Amalekites: The Egyptians enslaved the Israelites and attempted to drown every male child. Yet one instruction is to “…not despise an Egyptian because you were strangers in his land.” The Amalekites attacked once and were successfully repelled, yet the second command is to “blot out the name.” Rabbi Sacks applies the concept of conditional love to hate. Conditional love only lasts as long as the particular condition. Likewise, when hate has a rational basis it can end, whereas unconditional hatred cannot be reasoned with.
Rabbi Daniel Bouskila Abarbanel’s Prophecy on Radical Islam
Rabbi Sacks cites several midrashim regarding the mitzvah of tzedakah: If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites…be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need. The concept of tzedakah is not “charity”. Charity is voluntary, whereas tzedakah is compulsory. Rabbi Sacks states that the nearest English equivalent is social justice, not charity.
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, z’l: Re’eh Making Poverty History
Rabbi Sacks cites several midrashim regarding the mitzvah of tzedakah: If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites…be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need. The concept of tzedakah is not “charity”. Charity is voluntary, whereas tzedakah is compulsory. Rabbi Sacks states that the nearest English equivalent is social justice, not charity.
Rabbi Adam Ruditsky: Re’eh What Do You See?
Rabbi Ruditsky introduces the parashah with the statement: “we need to look much more than just see.” We need to “see” as Adam and Eve did when they ate the fruit and “their eyes were opened”. Moses key point is to encourage Israel to perceive the role of Torah on a much deeper level than just words on a page.
Musical treats: Kol Nidrei Cantor Dan Mutlu, Central Synagogue
Senior Cantor Dan Mutlu sings Bruch’s Kol Nidre, accompanied by cellist and Central member Julian Schwarz.
Igael Gurin-Malous: Eikev Love the Stranger
Igael Gurin-Malous writes about the commandment to love—how does one fulfill a commandment to love another, especially one is is different, a.k.a., the stranger? He observes that the Torah recognizes an important truth: if we love those around us then we will ensure that as the laws change, they will do so according to love.
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, z/l: Eikev Why Civilizations Fail
Moses teaches the new generation that the 40 years in the wilderness was not the ultimate challenge. That comes when everyone’s needs are met—when the spiritual challenges begin. Civilizations decline when the population loses its social solidarity and become weakened before potential enemies.
Rabbi Cantor Eva Robbins: The Respect that aging Deserves
Rabbi Robbins references Vayikra 19:32: “one must rise up…and honor the face of the old man.” She writes that respect and honor are at the root of our tradition, which attributes an elevated status to all who age. She critiques our culture that tends, instead, to isolate and humiliate our elders.
Rabbi Daniel Bouskila: Shabbat Nahamu 1933
Rabbi Bouskila considers the post-Tisha B’Av drash written by Rabbi Uziel in 1933, when Nazi Germany was in power. Rabbi Uziel wrote that it was the job of the rabbis—spiritual leaders—to lead the community in healing its divisions; only by healing our internal rifts could we strengthen ourselves against outside threats.