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Today we are bombarded with the comings and goings of the rich and famous on social media, television, magazines and newspapers. Scientific American magazine reported a study that a desire for fame solely for the sake of being famous was the most popular future goal among a group of 10-12 year olds. That is, when…
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Cultivating Humility
Our Torah reading juxtaposes two men who are of very different character. When Moses approaches Pharoah to let the Israelites go, Pharoah responds, “Who is this God that I should heed him and let Israel go. I do not know the God of Israel, nor will I let Israel go.” (Exodus 5:2) Thus Pharoah asserts…
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Pray for Your Country
This Shabbat, as we do every Shabbat, Jewish congregations around the world will pray for the welfare of the government of their respective countries. The prayer in the congregation where I worship asks God to bless the government of the United States, its leaders and its advisors, so that they may govern wisely and bring…
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For Martin Luther King Day
In 1963, the German born American Rabbi Joachim Prinz, who had a long history advocating for civil rights, participated in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom led by Martin Luther King, Jr. Rabbi Prinz spoke prior to Dr. King that morning. He said, “When I was the rabbi of the Jewish community in Berlin under the Hitler…
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Returning the Hostages
Dear Friends, Today we received news of the impending release of some Israeli hostages held by Hamas in conjunction with a cease fire agreement between Israel and the terrorist organization. I want to share with you the words of Rabbi Tamar Elad Appelbaum from Jerusalem who expresses so beautifully the hopes and fears of Israelis…
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The Proper Attitude in Prayer
Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, the great Chasidic master, was once visiting a town. He came to the community’s synagogue but refused to enter. The townspeople were astounded. Why was he refusing to cross the threshold of their House of Prayer? they asked. “The synagogue is too crowded,” he replied. The townspeople looked at one…
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Noa and Joseph
Today I want to share a poem with you by Israeli poet Natanel Ellinson. It was published in a weekly newsletter I receive from Israel called “Shabbat Shalom”. I discovered this newsletter on a visit to Israel in 2017, where a hard copy for the week was waiting for me on my seat at a…
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The Hanukkah Candles
Why do we light the Hanukkah candles? According to the prayer in our siddur, Hanerot Hallalu, we light the candles to give thanks for the miracles God performed for us “in those days at this time of year”. Those miracles, which are not specified in this prayer, are the twin miracles of the victory of…
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Angels in our Midst?
In our Torah reading this week, Joseph is dispatched by his father Jacob to check on the welfare of his brothers and on the flocks they are pasturing near Shechem. (Genesis 37:12) Joseph loses his way and encounters a man who asks him what he is seeking. Joseph replies that he is looking for his…
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How Does One Honor the Sabbath?
Since the Torah blesses and sanctifies the Sabbath it is an obligation upon the people of Israel to honor this holy day and to enjoy it. There are four things we are commanded to do – two from the Torah — shamor ve-zachor – observe and remember, and two from the prophets – honor and…
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Rabbi Marc D. Rudolph 