By Rabbi Josef A. Davidson
• Published June 21, 2017
In Pirkei Avot 5:17 we learn: “Every argument that is for the sake of Heaven is destined to endure, and every argument that is not for Heaven will not endure. Which argument is for the sake of Heaven? The argument between Hillel and Shammai. And which...
Shelach Lecha is the fourth portion in the fourth book of Torah, called Numbers or Bamidbar. God tells Moses, shelach lecha, send for yourself spies to check out what I’ve already told you is a good land. So Moses, at God’s request, deployed 12 sons...
Anyone who has graced the halls of a school knows that the nature of the work within those walls is boundless. The amount of physical effort, time, and emotional resources that students can invest in learning and that teachers can invest in teaching...
Last week, I took on an intimidating task. I assembled a bookcase. I pulled out the pieces, got out the screwdrivers and hammer, cleared a space and opened the booklet of instructions. I squinted at the incomprehensible diagrams and tried to connect...
By Rabbi Josef A. Davidson
• Published May 25, 2017
It has been said that beginnings are difficult, and that old aphorism holds a great deal of truth. It has also been demonstrated as a law of physics that a body at rest tends to stay at rest, while a body in motion tends to stay in motion. This week,...
“Who is truly strong? One who controls her/his impulses.” – Ben Zoma, Pirkei Avot, 4:1
Inspired by the upcoming bat mitzvah of our youngest, Ellior Liat, who will celebrate her coming-of-age this Shabbat Morning at Congregation B’nai...
Lag B’Omer, the 33rd day within the period of counting the Omer — the seven weeks between Passover and Shavuot — is this Saturday night through Sunday night. Its origins as a holiday are not entirely clear, though it has been linked to two of the...
In this week’s double portion Acharei Mot/Kedoshim, we are reminded of the events of chapters earlier when Nadab and Abihu offer alien fire and are consumed (Leviticus 10:1-7). “The Eternal One spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron...
I recently reread a wonderful tale, echoed through many cultures, that was once told by the great Hassidic rabbi and storyteller Reb Simcha Bunim. There was once a young man named Isaac who lived in Kracow, Poland. One night, with no warning, he had...
When Blu Greenberg and her husband were sitting shiva for their son JJ, who was killed riding a bicycle in Israel at the age of 36, people came to be with them in their hour of sorrow. “Most people came with no forethought, agenda or explanation,”...
By Rabbi Brigitte Rosenberg
• Published April 6, 2017
In this week’s parashah, Tzav, we learn that the priest is to “dress in linen raiment, with linen breeches next to his body” when he takes up the ashes from the burn offering. We then learn that he should take off his vestments and put on other...
By Rabbi Josef Davidson
• Published March 30, 2017
As one enters many synagogues throughout the country, even throughout the world, one notices that they have something in common. Plaques are on everything! I remember that after my grandmother died, my father and his family endowed the religious school...
