This week, with Parshat Masei, we complete the reading of the book of Numbers. The parshah begins with a description of the journeys of the children of Israel as they make their way through the wilderness towards the Promised Land. The Torah recounts each stop on...
A Purim Limerick by Sally Neff There once was a queen known as Vashti Whose husband was really a lush, see He liked wine and beer At girls he would lear And demanded they strip for his party Vashti won’t dance for the king though So, he kicked her...
This week is Shabbat Shirah, the Sabbath during which we read the Song of the Sea from the Torah. This is the moment in the text when the Israelites have finally escaped slavery, and they come upon the Sea of Reeds. Moses holds his staff up and the waters,...
As I am sure you have all heard by now, Debbie Friedman passed away on January 9th. I am writing this having just finished watching the live stream of her funeral. I watched it along with the congregation that was there in person and 7,150 other people on the web. ...
Upon hearing the news of the severe illness of singer-songwriter, Debbie Friedman, I tried to remember the first Debbie song I had ever heard. I couldn't. Debbie's music has always been a part of my Jewish life and her style changed the face of Jewish music,...
Happy New Year to my wonderful readers! I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the concept of New Year’s resolutions. I’ve never thought much of them because I have rarely seen them work! It always seemed strange to me that everyone at once would pick an arbitrary,...
I’d like to do a series of posts on this blog about prayer. But, before I discuss specific prayers, I think we need to first discuss the concept of prayer itself. Prayer is about relationship – a three way relationship between self, community, and G-d. Every prayer...
Happy Chanukah! I wanted to take this occasion to share some facts and guidelines about celebrating Chanukah. Here's 8 facts - one for each of those 8 CRAZY nights! 1. You place the candles in the menorah from right to left. 2. You light the...
Al Tifrosh Min Hatzibbur – Do Not Separate Yourself From the Community Rabbi Hillel, a great teacher who lived from approximately 30 BCE until 10 CE, taught us one of the most important precepts of our faith, “Al Tifrosh Min Hatzibbur – Do Not Separate...
“Jacob left Beer-sheba, and set out for Haran. He came upon a certain place and stopped there for the night, for the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of that place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place. He had a dream; a stairway...