Tag: god
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Next Year in Jerusalem
Toward the conclusion of our Seders we recite the words, “Bashannah Habahah Birushalayim Habenuya” — “Next year in Jerusalem rebuilt”. Thus, we begin our seder (“Now we are here, next year may we be in the Land of Israel) and end it remembering our ancestral homeland. This year I thought about my ancestors, having their…
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New Beginnings
Passover is a time of new beginnings. The egg which we place on our seder plates represents the cycle of life and the chance for a new beginning. The parsley represents Spring. One of the names of Passover is “Chag Ha-aviv” — the Festival of Spring. Spring is also a time of renewal. The Talmud…
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Out of Egypt Part II
When I was a child growing up in Scranton Pennsylvania, the Everhardt Museum of Natural History was a short walk from my house. I would visit frequently on my own. The Bird Gallery had an impressive permanent exhibit of over 600 preserved birds from around the world. The Rocks and Minerals collection featured a case…
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We Feel the Earth Move
The Torah gives a vivid description of the giving of the Ten Commandments. “….. There was thunder and lightning and a dense cloud upon the mountain, and a very loud blast of the horn. And all the people in the camp trembled ……… Mount Sinai was all in smoke, for the Lord had come down…
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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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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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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…
Rabbi Marc D. Rudolph 