Commentary - Blog
The Scrolls Of Independence, healing Israeli alienation
The false dichotomy It is customary to read the Scroll Of Independence on Yom Haatzmaut, as it reminds us of our nation’s sacred moral as well as legal principles. However, we, the Jewish people, have another more ancient founding scroll, the Torah Scroll. This is partly why, early on, Israeli society has empowered the extreme...
Read MoreTips for Learning Hebrew for a Bar/Bat Mitzvah
Preparing for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah is a momentous time in a young person's life. One of the most important aspects of this spiritual journey is learning Hebrew, the sacred language of the Torah. Whether your child is fluent or just starting out, there are proven techniques to make this process smoother, more enjoyable,...
Read MoreHow to Write a D’var Torah (Speech) with Your Child
The D’var Torah is more than just a speech—it's a moment for your child to express their voice, reflect on sacred texts, and share a meaningful message with the community during their Bar or Bat Mitzvah. In this guide, we’ll show you how to support your child in crafting a D’var Torah that’s authentic, insightful,...
Read MoreHow to Support Your Child’s Torah Portion Study?
How to Support Your Child’s Torah Portion Study? At the heart of your child’s Bar/t Mitzvah journey is the Torah portion study—a sacred task that connects your child with generations of Jewish learning and tradition. As a parent or guardian, you play a vital role in supporting your child’s success and enjoyment throughout this process. ...
Read MoreThe Spiritual Imperative of a Fresh Start and Passover
Last month, we celebrated Purim, whose essence is encapsulated in the verse from the Book of Esther: "The enemies of the Jews had hoped to dominate them, but it all turned around, נהפוך הוא, and the Jews ended up dominating their enemies" (Esther 9:1). Indeed, Purim teaches us that things often turn out to be...
Read MorePsychedelics or Zohar?
Psychedelics have informed my spiritual journey way back when. In the 90s, way before my Rabbinic ordination, I had the unusual privilege of joining my Rabbi and spiritual teacher along with his colleague in smoking the ganja (weed) before a Kabalat Shabbat event. Undoubtedly, with the mind altering substance's help, this became a very meaningful...
Read MoreThe Shahid’s Sanctuary – a critique of Zoosman’s “The Cost of Revenge… Israel’s Response to Hamas”
Dear Cantor Zoosman. Thank you for writing the thoughtful and provocative piece “The Cost of Revenge, A Cantor’s Critique of Israel’s Response to Hamas”. I admire your activism toward the elimination of capital punishment. I have been following your Ohalah posts on the topic from afar. If I wasn’t already overextended I would be active...
Read MoreA Hawk, a Dove, and Hamas True Motivation
My friend and colleague, Rabbi Jan Salzman, said shortly after October 7th 2023 that there are both a Hawk and Dove residing within her head and heart in equal measure. I believe many of us can relate. We are living through a challenging time in which previously set assumptions about life in Israel and about...
Read MoreHandling Tragedy During the Month of Adar
In Tractate Ta’anit, it is stated: "Just as during the month of Av we decrease in joy, so too, during the month of Adar we increase in joy." Indeed, the sages instruct us to encourage and amplify joy not only on the days of Purim itself but throughout the entire month of Adar. Just recently,...
Read MoreUnity Above All, The Israeli Challenge
One of the greatest challenges in Israel these days, besides the grief for the many casualties, and the anguish over the fate of the hostages, is the fragility of our unity. This fragility began before October 7th, as we all remember.In Parashat Yitro, we read the words of Moses' father-in-law to Moses (Exodus 18:20-21):"And you...
Read MoreHope Against All Odds, Why read the Binding of Isaac story on Rosh Hashana?
Sermon, Rosh HaShana 2nd Day 5784 Bet Israel Masorti Synagogue, Natanya Israel Rabbi Reuben Modek וַיְהִ֗י אַחַר֙ הַדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֔לֶּה וְהָ֣אֱלֹהִ֔ים נִסָּ֖ה אֶת־אַבְרָהָ֑ם וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלָ֔יו אַבְרָהָ֖ם וַיֹּ֥אמֶר הִנֵּֽנִי׃ (בראשית כב״ א פרשת וירא) Some time afterward, God put Abraham to the test, saying to him, “Abraham.” He answered, ”Hineni”, Here I am. What was the test?…. The binding...
Read MoreWhat COVID Revealed, a path to holistic health and wellness. Parts 1, 2, 3
In an interview I listened to on WGBH’s Innovation Hub with Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, the dean of the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, the Doctor shared that according to a study (from April 2020) of COVID hospitalizations in New York City, obesity was statistically more important in determining hospitalization for COVID patients than...
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