Tag: Torah sparks by Rabbi Schell
-
Isaac and Ishmael – Their Untold Story | Rosh Hashanah Sermon by Rabbi Adrian M. Schell
In this moving Rosh Hashanah sermon, Rabbi Adrian M. Schell takes us through the untold narrative of Isaac and Ishmael, two estranged brothers separated by trauma and reunited only by their father Abraham’s death. With a focus on themes of resilience, reconciliation, and renewal, the sermon delves into their shared trauma and reflects on the…
-
What About Hope?
In a world that often feels divided and overwhelming, I explore in my Erev Rosh HaShanah Sermon the timeless question: What about hope? Through personal stories, Jewish wisdom, and reflection, I hope to challenge you to reclaim hope not through grand gestures but through everyday acts of kindness, community, and love. Join Rabbi Adrian M.…
-
Ki Tavo: The First Fruits of Our Lives
A couple of years ago, a friend of ours planted a small garden on her balcony. It was nothing fancy—just a few herbs, a tomato plant, and some strawberries. But when that first tomato ripened, it was like magic. She held it up to the sun, marvelling at its bright red skin, and the weight…
-
A glimpse of the messianic time
Dear Congregants and Friends, One of the most important teaching of the torah is v’ahavta l’reacha kamocha, love your neighbour as yourself. There are no ifs, ands or buts. We are commanded to love all members of the fabulous human family. In the creation account of the Book of Genesis, God creates us betzelem elohim,…
-
Waiting for V-Day
Tomorrow, 8 May, marks the 75 anniversary of so called V-E-Day (Victory in Europe Day), Nazi Germany’s unconditional surrender of its armed forces. For Jews all over Europe this day meant a final liberation from state organized terror and murder, but not from the suffering and finding ways to cope with enduring persecution and wounds. Seventy five years…
-
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…
-
Have no fear – be Strong!
The Torah portion Va’yechi is the concluding parasha of the first book of Torah, B’reishit. It ends the narrative of the founding mothers and fathers of our folk and faith, and also concludes the complex and compelling story of Joseph. As such, it has many aspects of endings, including Jacob’s death-bed blessings given to his…
-
Heaven and earth touched each other
This week’s Torah portion, Vayetzei, describes the first part of the journey of the biblical Jacob. Fleeing the wrath of his brother, whose birthright he purchased and whose blessing he stole, Jacob is “heading for the exits (Vayetzei).” As the now iconic story unfolds, Jacob stops for the night and has his famous dream of a ladder…
-
Toledot: It is about seeing—and not seeing.
Our parasha reports how Isaac was tricked by Jacob, taking advantage of his father‘s blindness, into giving him the blessing of the firstborn. But was Isaac really blind? Was he really not able to notice that it was Jacob and not Esau who stood before him? History is sometimes made by averting our eyes. Many…
-
Knowing that We Are Blessed
As Abraham reached the twilight of his years, our Torah portion informs us that “the Eternal had blessed Abraham in every way” (Genesis 24:1). The Rabbis were perplexed by such an assertion. No surprise! Do you know anyone on earth who is blessed with everything? Some people may give the impression that they “have everything.”…
