Rabbi Marc D. Rudolph

  In Parashat Beshallach we come to the climax of the story of the exodus from Egypt.  Pharaoh has once again changed his mind about letting the people of Israel go, and is now in hot pursuit of the Israelites with his chariots and armor.  Ahead of the Israelites lies and impassable sea — behind…

 Martin Luther King and the Prophetic Tradition This week’s parasha begins the Book of Exodus.  Tomorrow we will read in the Torah about the enslavement of the Israelites in Egypt and G-d’s call to Moses to lead the Israelites out of bondage.  Monday is Martin Luther King Day, a celebration of the birthday of that…

A week ago we were witness, via our televisions, to the horror that unfolded in Mumbai, India, over a period of several days, as Muslim radical terrorists attacked Western targets throughout the city of 19 million people.  It was a coordinated attack unlike any other we have seen, capturing the world’s attention for four or…

  Open My Lips So I May Speak Your Praise Adonai Sefatai Tiftach ufi yagid tehilatecha    There is a story behind the words that precede our amidah.  First, one has to understand that the Amidah, said three times a day by traditional Jews, is a substitute for the sacrifices in the Temple that can no…

Finding Your Passion Parashat Haazinu October 10, 2008 Rabbi Marc D. Rudolph What does it mean, to love “with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might”?  We know love when we feel it, but love is often difficult to express in words.  Fortunately, for that we have the poet.…

Kol Nidre The Four Questions October 9, 2008 Rabbi Marc D. Rudolph   Although an honest judicial system is essential for the proper functioning of a society, nobody ever wants to go to court. If you must go to court, of course you want the best attorney, and the best preparation, that you can properly…

Yom Kippur Morning October 10, 2008 Rabbi Marc D. Rudolph   A rabbi is always entertaining interesting questions about the Jewish religion from his congregants and others. In fact, when one is introduced as a rabbi, people are often moved to ask a question they have been wondering about for a long time. Do Jews…

   You Shall Teach and Learn          This weeks Torah portion contains the commandment to gather the people together every seven years at the Temple in Jerusalem in order to hear the King read from the book of Deuteronomy.  The Torah specifies that men, women, and children are to attend this gathering.  Why children? Wouldn’t small…

Our Relationship To Israel                                                                                                                                                                    September 30, 2008 Rosh Hashannah Day 1                                                                                                                                                                       Rabbi Marc D Rudolph What should be the role of Israel in contemporary American life? This year, 2008, we have been celebrating the sixtieth anniversary of the State of Israel. Over the past sixty years, and even beyond, the relationship between the Jews of the…

 Four Kinds of Repentence Rabbi Marc D. Rudolph Erev Rosh Hashanna marks the beginning of the Aseret Yemai Teshuva – the Ten Days of Repentance.  During this time we seek two kinds of forgiveness – Bein Adam LeMakom – forgiveness that we ask of G-d; and Bein Adam LeChavero – forgiveness we ask of each…