Rabbi Daniel Bouskila: A Memorial Tribute to Rabbi Meir Abitbol, z/l
Rabbi Ruditsky cites the song “The Sounds of Silence” to highlight a key theme in Ha’azinu – there is no such thing as silence and on Shabbat Shuvah, we are required to listen.
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, z/l: Ha’azinu
Rabbi Sacks writes about the spiritual power of music. Moses used the technique to present a message to the people in such a way that they would hear it and absorb it. He cites many other instances in the Tanakh where music was applied for spiritual purposes. As he states, “when we pray, we sing.”
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, z’l: The Lessons of Kohelet
Rabbi Sacks presents some delightful insights on Sukkot. In one, contrary to popular opinion, the ancient Israelites didn’t live in succot during their sojourn in the desert; they lived in tents. In another, reading Kohelet doesn’t make sense for a festival that is called z’man simchateinu.
Rabbi Julia Watts Belser: What Yom Kippur Can Teach Us About the Brutality of Ableism
On Yom Kippur, Rabbi Belser contemplates the cruelty of ableism in our society, in particular, as it is implicitly raised in Una Taneh Tokef. In her recently published book, “Loving Our Own Bones,” she concludes that we all have a stake in dismantling ableism
Rabbi Adam Ruditsky: Shabbat Shuvah – Parashat Ha’azinu
Rabbi Ruditsky cites the song “The Sounds of Silence” to highlight a key theme in Ha’azinu – there is no such thing as silence and on Shabbat Shuvah, we are required to listen.
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, z’l: To Renew Our Days. – Nitzavim-Vayeilech
Rabbi Sacks addresses the challenging passage where God tells Moses he will never enter the land of Canaan. The concept of Hakhel, the covenant renewal ceremony, enabled the people to retain their spiritual immortality, even though their physical bodies eventually died. This was the lesson for Moses.
Rabbi Adam Ruditsky: Parashat Nitzavim-Vayeilech
Rabbi Ruditsky addresses the concept of T’shuvah, as described by Isaiah—idolatry and mistreatment of others—raising the issue of social concerns in the community. The Rabbis connect his message to all generations that follow, reflecting Moses’ message in Nitzavim, that the Covenant applies to everyone, even those who were not, nor will be, present at the occasion. Please follow the link below to read his full article:
Rabbi Adam Ruditsky Parashat Ki Tavo
Rabbi Ruditsky writes about many aspects of Ki Tavo and the Haftarah portion. His key theme is about putting yesterday in perspective; we look to tomorrow and the future, but do not forget the past—good and bad. We take those various aspects with us into the future.
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, zl: Parashat Ki Tavo
Rabbi Sacks addresses the question “Who Am I?” He writes about God identifying Godself as “the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob…”. When Moses wonders who he is, God lets him know that he is essentially an Israelite, although he has spent most of his life to date as an Egyptian or a Midianite. Thus, identity is also tied to genealogy. Thus, in Ki Tavo, the Israelites are instructed to say “My father was a wandering Aramean…” when bringing the offering of first-fruits to the priest.
Rabbi Daniel Bouskila:n Sephardic Torah – Holocaust Denial and Remembering Amalek: Rabbi Moshe Malta
Deuteronomy 25:17-19 teaches “Zakhor – Remember what Amalek did to you…do not forget.” Rabbi Malka cited these verses when addressing an Israeli audience in the mid-1970’s, to warn of the start of a disturbing trend – Holocaust denial. Today Holocaust denial is prevalent on social media and in academia. We have a sacred duty to remember.