Images of terror just do not fit
It doesn’t matter how many years you live in Jerusalem, if that is all your life or just some years, the magic of this holy city fills your soul, and your heart. You can close your eyes and see all…
Rabbi Adrian Michael Schell
Proudly Jewish - Proudly Progressive
Rabbi Adrian Michael Schell
Proudly Jewish - Proudly Progressive
Category Rabbinic Thoughts
Sukkot and Simchat Torah
“You shall live in Sukkot seven days; all citizens of Israel shall live in Sukkot, in order that future generations may know that I made the Israelite people live in Sukkot when I brought them out of the land of…
Open our doors
Sukkot is one of my favourite festivals since my childhood in Israel, its the holiday of the open tent. We marry under a chuppah that is open on all sides to remind us of the mitzvah of hachnasat orchim (…
Yom Kippur and Sukkot are closely linked by the Book of Jonah
Our Jewish tradition says that immediately at the conclusion of Yom Kippur, one should occupy oneself with the mitzvah of building the sukkah. Typically, one engages in a symbolic act of sukkah building as a way of showing one’s enthusiasm…
Shabbat Shuvah
Turn us unto You, Adonai, that we may be turned. Renew our days as of old. -Lamentations 5:21 This Shabbat is Shabbat Shuvah – The Shabbat that falls between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, in the midst of our High…
Parashat Nitzavim and Rosh HaShanah
„I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse; therefore choose life, so that you may live, you and your children.” – Deuteronomy 30:19…
The Edge of Everything
We gathered, all of us, having walked this long road Before. There is so much I don’t remember of it: Cold and dust and heat-cracked pavement And noise! God, the noise– It could tear you apart and get inside your…
Appearing before a rabbinical court
One of the best rewards that I could receive as a Rabbi, teacher and a friend is the following letter that Neebashnee sent to me. Especially during this month of Elul, let’s strive to be more positive thinkers, be grateful…
Parashat KiTavo: Embedding in the past
In Ki Tavo the Israelites are commanded to bring their first fruits as an offering: “When you come into the land that the Eternal your God is giving you for an inheritance and have taken possession of it and live…
Parashat Re’eh: Freedom and Responsibilities
Our weekly Torah portion is “Re’eh”: “Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse. The blessing; if ye shall hearken unto the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day – And…