When Moses is confronted by an angry rebellion in this week’s Torah portion, Korach, he does the unthinkable, he prostrates himself on the ground in front of his detractors. He did so, as the 18th Century Kabbalist, Or HaChaim, writes.…
Torah Thoughts – Sh’lach – Numbers.13.1-15.41 – “Leading Questions”
Eleven years ago, or so, two search parties, AKA merger committees, looked across Sheridan Drive and asked some very key questions: Are the people there nice? Do we share values with one another? Could we work together if our communities…
Torah Thoughts – Beha’alotcha – Numbers 8:1-12:16 – “A Sanctuary Filled with Memory”
This Shabbat, we return to the Torah portion my daughter Jarah read at her Bat Mitzvah last year. Coming back to this moment of Biblical time, I am flooded with memories from that important memory in our family life. Grandparents,…
Torah Thoughts – Naso – Numbers.4.21-7.89 – “A Prayer for the Road”
At the amazing wedding of Shiri Kester and Colton Rogers officiated by Cantor Barbara Ostfeld, the grandfather of the bride was invited up to offer one of the seven blessings. A 96-year-old Holocaust survivor who lives in Los Angeles, he…
Rabbi Alex CSS High Holiday Sermons 2012 – 2022
Torah Thoughts – Bamidbar – Numbers.1.1-4.20 – “Trying to Find Our Way Out”
This week’s Torah portion Bamidbar, begins with the words: “God spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai.” Isn’t this obvious? We have been in the Sinai wilderness since we left Egypt in Exodus 15, over a book and a…
Torah Thoughts – Bechukotai – Leviticus 26:3-27:34 – “Choose Love”
In this week’s Torah portion, Bechukotai, there is a long list of punishments that would occur when the Israelites broke their covenant with God. They are positively frightening, ranging from war and pestilence to plague and famine. We would lose…
21 Ein Keiloheinu
Torah Thoughts – Behar – Leviticus.25.1-26.2 – “Rest Therapy”
After a week of tragedy and heartbreak in our own community, all of us could use a break. Watching the heroic leaders of Buffalo attend to the needs of so many is both overwhelming and inspirational. I am amazed at…