Category: Torah
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Parashat Toledot: Never again
Chaverim,Water is life. Our bodies are mostly water. Our planet is able to sustain life largely due to its abundant supply of water. The symbolism of water flowing and nourishing the thirsty land is easily understandable, even by those who have never lacked rain. So, what can we learn from the image of a well, that…
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Because they lived, we will too
Chaverim—Beloved Friends, Normally, when Jews die, we recite a prayer: ‘baruch dayan ha’emet’ – blessed is the True Judge. It’s a way of saying: “the good and the bad they did, can pass with them — their soul is in God’s hands now“. When Jews are slaughtered by anti-Semites, however, there is a different prayer: ‘hashem…
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Statement on Horrific Synagogue Attack
Dear congregants,We are saddened and horrified by the hate crime and act of terrorism which happened yesterday at the Eitz Chayim – Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, USA.Our thoughts go out to the families of the victims, the staff and members of the Synagogue, the Jewish Community, and all who mourn. We are grateful for…
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Happy pride day Johannesburg
Chaverim—Friends, This weekend, Johannesburg is celebrating Pride day, and by that diversity in our South African society. While the legal position of people, who identify as LGBTI* in South Africa, is not bad at all (not only in comparison to other African states but also in comparison to Worldwide standards), still many of the queer, gay…
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Lech Lecha: Hear the call
Chaverim—Friends,Our Torah Portion for this coming Shabbat is Lech Lecha. In Lech L’cha, our story focuses on our ancestor Avram. He was a wanderer who heard a divine call and went forth. God’s call to Abraham was a call to leave a position of warmth, of security and the “same good old” in order toencounter…
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Parashat Noach: Be a hero
Chaverim—Friends,No doubt about it—Noah was a good person. In fact, the Torah tells us that he was the most righteous person in his generation. But, perhaps that’s like praising someone for being the best player on a losing team! Let’s look more closely at Noah.Noah saved his family and the animals. This is all good.…
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Bereshit: Are we really done, back to “normal”?
Chaverim—Friends,Done! The High Holy Day season is over. The past weeks were exciting and exhausting, we were taken to spiritual highs and grounded again, we shared joy and we gave comfort to another when sadness overcame us. We (I) were nervous about new things, such as the new prayer books, and we felt safe in…
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Yom Kippur isn’t an easy day
Chaverim—Friends, Yom Kippur isn’t an easy day. Not because of the fasting. What isn’t easy is the affliction of the soul, the practice of going deeply into ourselves and revealing our innermost fears, doubts and insecurities in front of the Eternal. There is no more bargaining time left. No more time to negotiate with God, to…
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Awesome moments between past, present and future – Greetings for the New Year 5779
Dear congregants, members, supporters, friends—chaverim,This will be my 5th High Holy Days with you, or to be more precise, my 6th, as Chayim and I joined the congregation exactly 10 years ago for my rabbinic internship at Bet David. Much has changed in the past years, but also many things have remained untouched and sacred, as…
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Why is it time for a new Machzor?
– by Rabbi Greg AlexanderWe are very blessed to begin 5779 with a brand new machzor, Mishkan HaNefesh, the Sanctuary of the Soul, a partner to our already beloved new siddur Mishkan T’filah. But why change? After all, our previous machzor, the Gates of Repentance, has served us well. When it was edited in 1978,…
