This time of year I am reminded of my dear friend, Gladys Kapstein z”l, who used to serenade her friends at Hillel board meetings with “I love Pesach with a Passion” to the tune …
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d'Var Torah
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4/4/19
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As we approach the raucous holiday celebration of Purim this month, we must ask ourselves a rather sobering question: why are we commanded to observe the holiday by drinking to excess? We know, of …
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d'Var Torah
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2/28/19
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This week’s Torah portion is called Mishpatim , which means “laws,” and, true to its name, it contains more than 50 specific mitzvot (commandments). Many of these …
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d'Var Torah
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1/31/19
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Tu b’Shevat, which begins on the evening of Sunday, Jan. 20, is a small gem of a Jewish holiday, coming as it does in midwinter, when there is not much else to celebrate. Many know it …
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d'Var Torah
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1/10/19
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This week’s Torah portion, Vayechi, brings to a close the literary cycle of Genesis. Jacob/Israel, reunited with his son Joseph, bestows his blessings upon his 12 sons, as well as his …
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d'Var Torah
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12/20/18
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Hanukkah means “Dedication.” After the Maccabees won back the Holy Temple, they lit the menorah to dedicate the Beit Hamikdash (Holy Temple). They found one cruse of olive oil that …
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d'Var Torah
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12/6/18
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The days are getting colder, the nights are getting longer. We are approaching the winter solstice. We have begun to forget the feeling of the sun on our skin. Some of us can hardly believe the long …
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d'Var Torah
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11/22/18
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In this week’s Torah portion, Toledot , the narrative begins with the origins of Isaac and Rebecca’s twin sons, Jacob and Esau. Isaac pleads with God on behalf of Rebecca who, like …
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d'Var Torah
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11/8/18
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The book of Genesis begins with God deciding to create human beings to rule all the other created things: “Let us make human beings in our image, after our likeness. They shall rule the …
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d'Var Torah
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10/25/18
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“I’m really sorry; I regret having done that. I promise I won’t do it again. I know, however, that I’m apt to forget that promise. I might need a reminder, so I’ll come …
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d'Var Torah
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10/12/18
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