Rabbi Kipnes and Cantor Cotler apply Pardes—The Orchard of Torah Study—to Chanukah. They start with the Book of Maccabbees, which stated that the days of purification and triumph were like the days of Sukkot, establishing the annual celebration.
Rabbi Cantor Mariana Gindlin recorded this Chanukah message & song.
Hazzanim Amy Katz and Elisa Walzman sing Samachti B’Omrim Li, composed by Charles Osborn, on a text from Psalm 122.
Cantors Bryce Megdal and Alyssa Rosenbaum sing Cantor Rosenbaum’s original Bossa Nova take on Shalom Aleichem.
Chaplain Wuhrman has recently published a book, “Moxie”, which will be released in 2023. In her book, she addresses issues relating to growth through grief.
In this parashah, the text emphasizes chesed, which is central to the Jewish value system. He cites Rev Simlai, who taught that the Torah begins and ends with an act of kindness: God clothes the naked and God buries Moses. Many see chesed as even higher than tzedakah.
Rabbi writes about changing the world, using the lessons from parashat Vayeira; hospitality, kindness, meaningful dialogue, courage. In times of crisis, human actions can change biblical events.
Please check out the YouTube video below for a beautiful rendition of Hashkiveinu by Cantor Lisa Peicott to prepare you for the next Shabbat.
Rabbi Morris Kamil was raised with a dedication to social justice and Tikkun olam. In her rabbinate at Ahavat Torah she is continuing her work as an activist.
Rabbi Sacks starts his Drash with a quote from Mark Twain:
When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to
have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at
how much the old man had learned in seven years.