by Cantor Sally L. Neff | Jun 28, 2019 | D'var Torah, Judaism, Numbers
I have just returned from a wonderful four day cantorial conference in Atlanta, GA. The theme of the conference was social action. So many times over the course of the week people spoke about how helpless they felt in the face of so much horror happening in our...
by Cantor Sally L. Neff | Jun 14, 2019 | D'var Torah, Numbers
This week’s Torah portion, parshat Naso, contains the famous words of the Priestly benediction: “May G-d bless you and protect you. May G-d deal kindly and graciously with you. May G-d bestow G-d’s favor upon you, and grant you peace.” (Num. 6:24-26) This blessing is...
by Cantor Sally L. Neff | Mar 15, 2019 | D'var Torah, Leviticus
This week, with Parshat Vayikra, we begin the book of Leviticus. The first word of the book, and the one that also gives this Torah portion and indeed this entire book of the Torah its Hebrew name is, “Vayikra” – He (sorry for the gender pronoun) called. The use of...
by Cantor Sally L. Neff | Mar 8, 2019 | D'var Torah, Exodus
With this week’s Torah portion, Parshat P’kudei, we complete the reading of the epic book of Exodus. The book began with the words, “V’eileh sheimot” – these are the names. “These are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob.” A new king...
by Cantor Sally L. Neff | Mar 1, 2019 | D'var Torah, Exodus
A few days ago, there was an article in the New York Times entitled, “Do Not Disturb: How I Ditched My Phone and Unbroke My Brain.” The author discusses how his use of his smartphone had become a problem in his life. “I found myself incapable of reading books,...