“You Are All Here to Listen to a Frog” Perhaps the strangest commencement speeches of all time began with a few opening remarks given in a high pitched, awkward stutter, followed by the words: “You are all here to listen…
Erev Rosh Hashanah 2025/5786 Sermon
“Our Lucky Thirteenth” I don’t know if you are aware of this, but Jews tend to be very superstitious people. When we hear good news we say, “Keinahora,” a conjunction of three Yiddish words said fast – “Kain” “Ayin”…
Torah Thoughts – Vayeilech – Deuteronomy 31:1-31:30 – “You Are All Here to Listen to a Frog”
Perhaps the strangest commencement speeches of all time began with a few opening remarks given in a high-pitched awkward stutter, followed by the words: “You are all here to listen to a frog.” By frog, he was referring to perhaps…
Torah Thoughts – Nitzavim – Deuteronomy.29.9-30.20 – “We’re Still Standing”
In the chorus to the hit 1983 song “I’m Still Standing,” Elton John triumphantly announces to the world: “Don’t you know, I’m still standin’ better than I ever did?/ Lookin’ like a true survivor, feelin’ like a little kid/And I’m…
Simchat Torah /Adult Bnei Mitzvah
Torah Thoughts – Ki Tavo – Deuteronomy.26.1-29.8 “Pay Attention”
In looking through the Torah recently, I noticed something subtle but important. While most portions are relatively easy to find. Their initial verses are unusual enough that they stand out. This is not the case with either this week or…
50’s High School Dance Murder Mystery Dinner Theater
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Torah Thoughts – Ki Teitzei – Deuteronomy.21.10-25.19 – “Not All Torah Portions are Created the Same”
The look on Tina’s face said it all. “Isn’t there anything else in the portion we can take a look at?” she asked me, after we read through the verses her daughter Isabella had been assigned. We had just delved…
A Taste of Convention
Torah Thoughts – Shoftim – Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9 – “Justice On the Run”
In English, justice can be denied or deferred. We can bring someone to justice or do justice for someone. Justice is blind and is also poetic, but for the most part it is stationary. Justice sits on her throne, scales…