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190 results total, viewing 41 - 50

Ecclesiastes fits the spirit of our time

I was speaking with a friend the other day, and I asked him, rhetorically, “Will this winter ever end?” I’m not bothered by the cold (after all, before I moved to Rhode … more

d'Var Torah | 3/4/21

The many sounds of silence

Parashah Yitro contains some of the most sublime passages in the Torah. The best-known section, of course, is the Aseret Hadibrot, the 10 utterances/pronouncements, better known as the Ten … more

d'Var Torah | 2/5/21

Consider a blessing for the COVID-19 vaccine

“Be sure to follow the behaviors which the wise doctors prescribe, for walking in the light of their words is also our religious duty, thus upholding life in this physical world to be good and do good (l’tov u’lemeitiv).” (Rabbi Yisrael Salanter, Ohr Yisrael, Letter 22). more

d'Var Torah | 1/7/21

The gift of giving at this time of the year

Once upon a time, in a faraway land, a man decided to take a hike through some hills. He had planned a 25-mile hike. When he reached the 24-mile mark, he got very tired and wished a car would come … more

d'Var Torah | 12/3/20

VAYERA: A biblical mystery

Genesis 19:26 reads as follows: “But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.” A very curious and enigmatic verse. Biblical commentators find it difficult to … more

d'Var Torah | 11/6/20

We are commanded to rejoice

Here we stand, mourning 200,000 lives lost to COVID, surrounded by the divisiveness of an ugly election year, fully feeling the weight of pandemic life that continues to weigh us down. Now, … more

d'Var Torah | 10/2/20

Looking forward to the High Holy Days

I am looking forward to ushering in the year 5781. There. I said it. Yes, I acknowledge the sadness of not seeing my friends at shul. Yes, I feel the loss of not sharing meals … more

d'Var Torah | 9/3/20

A timeless message from the Exodus

Have you ever pretended that you were one of the Israelites during the 40-year Exodus? Not a pleasant thought, perhaps. After all, if you were an adult at the beginning of the journey, it meant that … more

d'Var Torah | 8/7/20

Life passes by speedily: Use this time wisely

During the COVID-19 crisis, many people have remarked on the way that time seems to be moving both more slowly and more quickly than usual. During this “stay at home” time, we can … more

d'Var Torah | 7/3/20

Grieving our losses – and envisioning the next chapter of Jewish life

It now seems like years ago that we were grieving not being in-person for our Passover seders, and dreaming up creative, safer alternatives to large gatherings of family and friends. Now, many of us … more

d'Var Torah | 6/5/20