Do the dead outnumber the living?
As of August 2016, the world population was estimated at 7.4 billion. The United Nations estimates it will further increase to 11.2 billion in the year 2100. A student recently approached me and told me that, “there are more people…
The root of all Sins
“Ki ata solechan leYisrael umochalan leshivte Yeshurun umibal’adecha en lanu melech mochel vesoleyach.” For you are the pardoner of Israel and the forgiver of the tribes of Yeshurun and without you we have no forgiver and pardoner. (Yom Kippur prayers)…
Kol Nidrei
Chasidim are accustomed on Erev Yom Kippur to come to their Rabbi and give some charity as a pidyon nefesh — redemption of the soul. In the city of Berditchev where the famous interceder on behalf of Klal Yisrael, Rabbi…
Oops I did it again…
Sometimes when we sin we tell ourselves “I am never going to do this again” It might take a few weeks, days or for some, hours! But here we are doing the same thing again and berating ourselves for being…
Who’s Judging?
Just over a hundred years ago an Italian salesman was sent to far islands to assess the market there for shoes. He scouted around for a few days and then headed for the telegraph office to contact company headquarters. He…
Rosh Hashana Insights
A few years ago I saw a beautiful analogy by R’ Sheller of New York. He tells the story of one he stood in front of the large desk with his heart pounding. Essentially there was nothing to say. A…
Life Happens
“Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans” — John Lennon, “Beautiful Boy” Moshe’s days are ending and, as his passionate words to his beloved people reach their crescendo, he implores us to “Choose Life, so…
MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF RABBI – ROSH HASHANAH 5777
“בראש השנה יכתבון וביום צום כיפור יחתמון” – ‘On Rosh Hashanah it is inscribed and on Yom Kippur it is sealed’ As we recited these moving words in the Unetaneh Tokef prayer last year, we could hardly have anticipated the devastation that…
