Stories,photos

192 results total, viewing 101 - 110

Parsha: Ekev Sometimes, when faced with enormous challenges, we raise our hands to the sky and proclaim: “It’s impossible!” Sometimes, when faced with seemingly unbeatable odds, … more

d'Var Torah | 8/10/17

A fountain of light for all nations

If you live in Rhode Island, you’ve probably been to Allie’s Donuts, a legendary stop on the way to Narragansett. I’m sorry to report that they fry their famous donuts in animal fat … more

d'Var Torah | 6/23/17

Torah’s words challenge us from generation to generation

In just a few months, Temple Beth-El will welcome the High Holy Days with a brand new machzor (High HolyDay prayer book). This is the first machzor since “Gates of Repentance,” … more

d'Var Torah | 6/9/17

Get lost – it may be just what you need

The Torah portion just before Shavuot is named Bamidbar , which translates to “In the Wilderness.” Our rabbis have long been fascinated that the Torah was given to Israel … more

d'Var Torah | 5/25/17

On bonfires, hubris and the state of civil discourse

Lag B’Omer – the Hebrew letters lamed and gimel represent the numerical equivalent of 33, and so Lag B’Omer is a shorthand way of referring to the 33rd day of the 50-day count … more

d'Var Torah | 5/11/17

Our communal responsibility extends to poor pregnant women

That may sound like a sound-bite from Planned Parenthood or the Children’s Defense Fund, but I read those words in the writings of the Belzer Rebbe. The … more

d'Var Torah | 4/27/17

Out of the mouths of babes: What really matters

We have all been told that we have untold possibilities locked inside us. What we must learn is that, to turn potential into reality, we must not let negative thinking get in our way, nor get … more

d'Var Torah | 4/7/17

Impatience is NOT a virtue

This week’s Torah portion is Ki Tisa , meaning, “When you count.” At this point in the weekly Torah narrative in the Book of Exodus, the Israelites have … more

d'Var Torah | 3/16/17

Do Jews believe in angels?

We are used to seeing angels in Christian art and hearing about them in Christian spirituality, so we may think they are a Christian idea. Since Judaism holds firmly to a single, incorporeal … more

d'Var Torah | 3/2/17

The stranger is me

Recently we finished the Book of Genesis in our cycle of weekly Torah portions and began studying the Book of Exodus. The Book of Genesis told us stories of our patriarchs and … more

d'Var Torah | 2/16/17