Parsha : Simchat Torah (2023)
What a wonderful sukkot we had! And what would sukkot be without some rain. We now finally reach the final climax of our yomtov season with Simchat Torah Have you ever seen University professors and its students dancing with the textbooks and academic manuscripts? It’s quite unique and special that we dance and celebrate with […]
Parsha : Succot (2023)
The feeling of real joy. This week we start to celebrate the joyous holiday of Sukkot. The Talmud tells us that “One who has not seen the joy of the Sukkot celebration in the Beit hamikdosh has never seen seen true joy in their life” There are many beautiful elements of Sukkot. Each of them […]
Parsha: Ha’azinu (2023)
What a beautiful Rosh Hashana we had ! It was so moving to see everyone at shule, and I look forward to seeing everyone throughout this holiday season. We are in a special time now. The time between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, when we are still in the glow of the Rosh Hashana experience […]
Parasha: Nitzavim-Vayeilech (2023)
It’s the last Shabbat of the year! Next Shabbat will be the new year 5784. On this last Shabbat of the year it is an opportune time, to judge others favourably. This week we read two Parshiyot, Netzavim and Vayeilech. In the Second parsha we read about the transition of leadership and the shift the […]
Parasha: Ki Tavo (2023)
B’H“It’s like a game of hide and seek.”Rabbi Dovber of Mezrtich (1704–1772) explained that G-d tends to hide his presence from us, but then waits for us to search for him, when he makes his presence felt. There is a concept in Jewish Philosophy called “Hashgachoa Protit”- Divine providence.It means that G-d not only knows […]
Parasha: Ki Teitzei (2023)
Connection, love and acceptance. One of the most important values of Judaism is “Ve’ahavta L’reacha Kamocha” – “Love your fellow as yourself.” Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov (1698 – 1760) once said, that this love, could be the whole purpose of our entire life. In his words: “A soul enters this world for seventy or […]
Parsha: Shoftim (2023)
Inspirational Judaism or committed Judaism? Which one is the right approach? The parsha opens with the words שופטים ושוטרים, we must have judges שופטים and officers ושוטרים. The judges represent logic, ideas that resonate with us, things that can be explained. Whereas, officers represent discipline and commitment, where we must obey and follow, even if […]
Parsha: Re’eh (2023)
It’s that time of year, from next week Friday we will start to blow the shofar, as we begin the month of Elul and prepare for the high holidays. The Month of Elul is an opportune time for retrospection and self-reflection. It’s a time for Teshuva. Literally translated as “repentance”, more accurately translated as returning […]
Parsha: Eikev (2023)
Hard work and effort is an important value in Judaism. The Talmud puts it very nicely: Rabbi Yitzchak said if a person says to you, “I have worked hard and not found success,” do not believe him. Similarly, if he says to you: “I have not worked hard, but nevertheless, I have found success,” do […]
Parahsa: Va’etchanan (2023)
How do we give true comfort? At this point of the year we go from mourning to a moment of comfort. The very name of the Shabbos is “Shabbat Nachamu” the Shabbat of comfort. Hashem is comforting us, after the difficult and sombre day of Tisha B’av. It is difficult sometimes to know what to […]