This Rosh Hashanah is my last as the Senior Rabbi of Congregation Kol Ami as I will retire next July 2023. Here is my sermon for Day 1 of Rosh HaShanah 5783.
Kadima: Forward
Posted by in Uncategorized Tag: Moses
Posted by in Uncategorized Winning Isn’t Everything
Posted by in Uncategorized Los Angeles is in a winning frenzy and it isn’t even award season! Los Angeles teams, the Kings, Ducks and the Clippers are battling in their respective sports ‘ playoffs. Even if you are not a great basketball or hockey fan you can’t escape the determination and grit that these players show during each game. …Read more »
Eight Days a week – Parshat Shemini
Posted by in Torah Commentary Parshat Shimini Leviticus 9:1 -11:47 This week’s Torah portion is different. By that I mean if you are a Reform Jew or you live in Israel the Torah portion we read from is Shimini. If you are a Conservative or Orthodox Jew living outside of Israel you are still observing Passover this Shabbat and there…Read more »
The End and a Beginning
Posted by in Uncategorized Parshat Vaykheil-Pekude Exodus 35:1 – 40:38 This week’s Parasha continues with the recounting of the building of the Mishkan. In Parshat Terumah and Parshat Tetzaveh, the instructions and designs are revealed to Moses. And tradition states that in our portions this week, the plans are executed. Moses now tells the Children of Israel of…Read more »
Leadership Style
Posted by in Uncategorized Parshat Ki Tissa Exodus 30:11-34:35 This week we observe the joyous holiday of Purim. The Story of Esther in our Tanach, the Hebrew Scriptures, reminds us of the human strength to be the voice of justice and truth. Esther prepared for three days of prayer and a day of fasting to summons the courage…Read more »
Leadership Style
Posted by in Uncategorized Parshat Ki Tissa Exodus 30:11-34:35 This week we observe the joyous holiday of Purim. The Story of Esther in our Tanach, the Hebrew Scriptures, reminds us of the human strength to be the voice of justice and truth. Esther prepared for three days of prayer and a day of fasting to summons the courage…Read more »
Continuing Revelation
Posted by in Uncategorized Parshat Mishpatim Exodus 21:1 -24:18 Our Torah portion this week, Parshat Mishpatim expounds and expands the Ten Commandments given in last week’s Torah portion, Yitro. The Jewish people are blessed with a system of law and rules to live by. Why weren’t “Ten” rules for living enough? Why does God give Moses further instruction? The…Read more »
The Bones of Joseph
Posted by in Uncategorized Parshat Beshallach Exodus 13:17-17:16 Our Torah portion contains one of the most well-known moments in the Bible. This week the Children of Israel walk between walls of water on dry land to escape Egypt and Pharaoh’s army. Cinematic images of Charlton Heston as Moses are burned into our global psyches! Moses raises his staff…Read more »
The Plagues are Here
Posted by in Uncategorized Parshat Va-eira Exodus 6:2-9:35 The plagues descend upon Egypt in this week’s Torah portion Va-eira. Six of the ten plagues are described. Moses with the help of his brother and spokesman, Aaron confront Pharaoh at the behest of God. Each time Moses makes the request of Pharaoh to let the Israelites go free, Pharaoh…Read more »
In Praise of Brave Women
Posted by in Torah Commentary Parshat Shemot Exodus 1:1-6:1 We begin an entirely new book of the Bible this week. This is the story of the Jewish people’s enslavement in Egypt and their liberation. It is the beginnings of the nation of the People of Israel. We meet Moses who as an infant is adopted into Pharaoh’s home. The Pharaoh,…Read more »
Walking Humbly. Seeking Justice. Living with Hope. 