As we approach Purim, I cannot resist talking about this beautiful festival. It is one of two festivals of the winter, Chanukah and Purim. While the events of Chanukah were principally a threat to our spiritual survival, Purim recalls a threat to the physical existence of the Jewish people. Haman attempted to physically destroy every…
Building the Tabernacle for the Divine Presence requires a united Jewish people. View this video directly on Vimeo.
This week we will be reading an additional section of the Torah that discusses the process of purifying one who became impure by contact with the dead. Let us consider the meaning of the concepts of purity and impurity in the Torah. The Hebrew word for impurity is tumah, which is related to the word…
There is a certain relationship that is uniquely human and important. Harry Rothenberg tells us which one it is. View this video directly on VIMEO
Rabbi Mordechai Becher explains why does night precede day in the Jewish Calendar. View this video directly on Vimeo.
Daylight saving time has recently begun here in the USA. So it has got me thinking about day and night and their significance in Jewish thought. We know that in secular law, the calendar day starts and ends at midnight, however, in Jewish tradition the day starts the evening beforehand. So for example, Shabbat, starts…
Megillas Esther includes a number of phrases borrowed from the Torah. Harry Rothenberg shows us one of them which is particularly fascinating. View this video directly on VIMEO
Harry Rothenberg tells us: Certain special occasions make life worth living…. View this video directly on VIMEO
Harry Rothenberg reminds us: Don’t forget to say thank you…. View this video directly on VIMEO
We are about 3 weeks away from Purim, the holiday which commemorates the victory over Haman, who sought to destroy the entire Jewish nation. While this episode in history took place about 2500 years ago, there are still people who seek to destroy the Jews. Today, these people take the form of the “BDS” movement. Rabbi…