The Important Rope
Winter had settled in, and storms were conjuring up, but the family of four had to make their way to an urgent appointment hundreds of miles away. In those days the only way of travel for such a family was…
Yom Kippur Insights
As we approach Yom Kippur and the sealing of our destiny for the coming year, there is a sense some people have of impending doom. “I haven’t been that great this year”, “I botched up this year”, and “boy am…
The power of Our Speech
Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me’ is a well-known English idiom. But what is Judaism’s perspective on this? I think it’s remarkable that arguably the holiest day of the Jewish calendar begins with…
Awake from your slumber!!
Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 3) writes: “Although the sounding of the shofar on Rosh Hashanah is a Divine decree [which is accepted without our having to understand its reason], nevertheless, we can discern a purpose in doing so. It is as…
Yom Kippur Insights
הצב”י אסף פורטל ס”ט והחתן עמד בפתח מחייך”… החגים הנפלאים שלנו צבעוניים הם. זוהרים בססגוניותם. סעודת ליל ראש השנה על שלל סימניה הטובים: תפוח בדבש- לשנה טובה ומתוקה. גרגירי הרימון האדמדמים- לריבוי זכויות ומצוות. ראש הדג- שנהיה לראש. וחג…
Rosh Hashana insights
A Jewish mother is walking with her small son along the shore, enjoying the sounds and smells of the ocean. Suddenly, without warning, a huge wave comes in and washes the boy out to sea. The woman screams, but no…
A time for change
Once a man came to his Rabbi and asked him an important question; “ How many Rabbis does it take to change a light bulb?” The Rabbis reply was swift, “We don’t change anything!” Interestingly the word for “year” in…
Message from Rabbi Joseph Dweck
Rosh Hashanah is the most primal of our holy days. It takes us back, year after year, to the world’s first day and speaks to us of the essence of our existence. On this day, the Creator takes account of…
Rosh Hashana insights
A Jewish mother is walking with her small son along the shore, enjoying the sounds and smells of the ocean. Suddenly, without warning, a huge wave comes in and washes the boy out to sea. The woman screams, but no…
