Cloud and Fire

“For over the Tabernacle a cloud of G-d rested by day, and fire would appear in it by night, in the view of all the house of Israel throughout their journeys.”  Thus ends the book of Exodus, and our Torah portion, Parshat P’kudei.  Cloud and fire are powerful symbols...

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The Art of Shabbat

“G-d formed the human from the dust of the earth.  Blowing into his nostrils the breath of life, the human became a living being.”  (Gen 2:7).  The soul, given by G-d, animates the human, which is nothing but dust until awakened with feeling and color, and something...

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V’shamru V’nei Yisrael

Every week, we sing these words from Parshat Ki Tisa:  “V’shamru v’nei Yisrael et hashabbat.”  The people of Israel shall keep Shabbat, observing Shabbat throughout the ages as a covenant for all time.”  What does it mean to “keep shabbat?”  Jews have diverse opinions...

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Be A Giant

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...

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Vayikra

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...

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It’s All About the Journey

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 arises who...

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