On Monday we have a very special opportunity to see a wonder of the natural world. An eclipse. Perhaps some of you have made plans to travel to the path of totality. Others of you may be here in Chicagoland. … Continue reading
I wrestle with Tisha B’av. For three weeks, beginning on the 17th of the Hebrew month of Tamuz we mourn the destruction of Jerusalem and the Holy Temples more than 2000 years ago. We mark the end of the Bar … Continue reading
When the Israelites were exiled to Babylonia in 586BCE, the prophet Jeremiah commanded that the Israelites should pray for Babylon: “And seek the welfare of the city to which I have exiled you and pray to the LORD in its … Continue reading
(working backwards. Here is the previous week’s d’var Torah and discussion) One hundred and twenty and seven. And Sarah died. In Kiryat Arba, now Hebron. (Trivia question, where is the only other reference to 127 in the Bible?) The rabbis … Continue reading
Today we were treated to an example of leadership. Leadership by example. Today I helped celebrate a Bar Mitzvah of a special young man. He chose as his project to host a soccer scrimmage game for an organization called Soccer … Continue reading
This week we got a notice on the front of our building. It was a boil water notice. We didn’t find it until Friday. But it said we would not have any water until 11Pm on Thursday. However, we knew … Continue reading
A woman of valor, who can find? For her price is far above rubies. She looks well to the ways of her household, and eats not the bread of idleness. She gives food to her household and a portion to … Continue reading
Jim Croce sang it best: If I could save time in a bottle The first thing that I’d like to do Is to save every day Till Eternity passes away Just to spend them with you If I could make … Continue reading
I began this week asking for a volunteer to join me in front of the congregation. When no one volunteered, I picked my husband. I explained we were doing to do something that used to be called Indian wrestling—probably now … Continue reading
“For the joy of Judaism that keeps going and going and going.” That’s the tag line of my blog, the Energizer Rabbi. It’s whimsical and it’s happy. Happy Rosh Hodesh Elul. Today is the first morning of the Hebrew month … Continue reading