Tag: Torah sparks by Rabbi Schell
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Parashat Ki Tissa: Do you believe in God?
‘I hear that nowadays Rabbis don’t have to believe in God – Rabbi, do you believe in God?’I have heard this or questions alike many times in my carrier as a rabbi, and to be honest, it’s a question I’ve asked myself several times, too. There are moments in life, when your belief in God…
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Parashat Tetzaveh: “Clothes make the man”
Parashat Tetzaveh continues with the theme that defines most of the rest of the Book of Exodus: the construction and institution of the Mishkan, the tabernacle. This week’s reading specifically focuses on the Kohanim, the Priests who perform the rituals and sacrifices on behalf of the people. Great detailed descriptions (more than forty verses, an…
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Our responses to the article in the Jewish Report
Please click on the thumbnails below to read our Rabbis’ responses to the latest articles in the Jewish Report, defaming Progressive Jews. Letter from Rabbi Margolis to the JR 11-2-2016Letter from Rabbi Schell to the JR 11-2-2016
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Parashat Terumah: “If you bring Me gifts, I will dwell among you”
Imagine the scene. Moses calls to the entire Israelite community, not long after leaving Egypt and receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai, to offer gifts for the construction of God’s first sanctuary, the mishkan. The people bring a remarkable array of precious metals, fabrics, animal skins, and precious stones—all from a group of people who…
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Parashat Mishpatim and the two men in one boat
The story is told of 2 men in a boat when one suddenly decides to start drilling a hole underneath his seat, the other man protests – “what are you doing, we’re all going to drown”. But the man drilling his hole says “it’s none of your business, I want to drill a hole, I…
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Parashat Yitro: Progressive Jews are not second class Jews
As Moses is about to climb Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments, the Israelites gather at the base of the mountain, and affirm their commitment to fulfilling God’s commandments. Interestingly enough, they have not yet heard what those commandments will be! Nevertheless, they make a commitment to obey God’s word: “All that the Eternal…
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Parashat Beshalach: do not pray – just act
Torah Sparks: Tu BiShvat – celebrating the birthday of all trees“Then the Eternal One said to Moses, ‘Why do you cry out to me? Tell the Israelites to go forward. And you lift up your rod and hold out your arm over the sea and split it, so that the Israelites may march into the…
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“How would you like it that every time you made a mistake, a red light would flash and thousands of people would boo?”
Torah Sparks on Parashat Bo Imagine living in a world in which violating the laws of morality leads unavoidably to consequences in the world of nature. When we read Parshat Bo, with Pharaoh refusing to let Israel go and with nature responding to his stubbornness with plague after plague, we find exactly this. And we…
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Parashat Vaera: What in God’s Name is God’s Name?
This is one of the more profound theological questions. To be able to name something or someone is to have a specific relationship to it or them, even a form of control. One can call out not just “Hey, You!” but “Hey, David!” or whatever, and expect some form of response. By using a name…
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We don’t have to enter the New Year carrying all the old baggage from the past.
“How many times have you found yourself … up late at night, or waiting in line … and inside your head a one sided trashing is going on; hashing and rehashing a conversation you want to have with an unfair teacher, a duplicitous colleague, an impossible boss, an annoying sibling or a frenemy. Over and…
