Tag: Torah sparks by Rabbi Schell
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Kedoshim: When the world seems to lose its own compass
Chaverim,Once again we are mourning and raging after an anti-Semitic attack on a synagogue over the weekend. I have been and remain determined not to give any anti-Semite the victory they want in any way. Whenever they want to push us out of society, whenever they want us to be too afraid to gather in…
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Mark the Omer time in a significant way
Many of us know that Passover takes place during the Hebrew month of Nisan. In contrast, most of us do not know that the month of Nisan also includes another observance which begins on the second day of Passover. In ancient times, as set forth in the Book of Leviticus, our ancestors would start bringing…
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Metzorah: Only one month to go, and election day is here.
25 years after the first democratic election. Many things have changed since then, and still much more needs to change, bringing more healing and more equality to our country.Therefore, it is no wonder that campaigning has returned to South Africa, as many politicians and parties have very different ideas on how to solve the problems…
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Tazria: There is always the possibility of Teshuva
The portions of Tazria and Metzora are perhaps, for many of you, very uncomfortable portions of the Torah, dealing with all kinds of issues related to ritual purity and impurity.Ritual impurity, or tumah, has nothing to do with hygiene. Instead, tumah is a spiritual state that prevents a person from participating in the worship life…
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Shabbat Parah Adumah ?!
Shabbart Parah Adumah ?!The Shabbatot surrounding holidays are often permeated with the holiday themes, creating the mood for an upcoming festival, reflecting or enhancing festival themes, or easing the transition from a holiday back into the weekly flow of Shabbat.A special Shabbat usually includes a special Torah or Haftarah [prophetic] reading that either replaces the standard…
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A joy that has no bounce
Each month in the Jewish calendar symbolises many things, one of which is the general energy for that month. The energy of the month fills through every aspect of our lives, if we pay attention. The month of Adar, the month in which Purim falls, is the month of Joy! What better month to make…
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Vayakhel: I feel blessed to work with these wonderful women
The Torah portion Vayakhel presents Moses’ speech to the Israelite community at one of the many special gatherings during their wanderings in the desert. The speech opens with a brief restatement of the commandment to keep the Sabbath. However, the topic of Moses’ message is the building of the Tabernacle. Moses solicits gifts—gold, silver, copper,…
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Mishpatim: Taking a bribe is no different to digging a pit and not covering it properly.
Friends, A story is told of two 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,…
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Parashat Yitro: We can create a beautiful world
Friends,Some people think that the real meaning of Judaism is to pay attention to God through ritual. Other people think that the real meaning of Judaism is to pay attention to other people through acting ethically. Guess what? They are one and the same. When God gave Moses the Decalogue, the first five commandments—the “God…
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2019 is a year of celebration and a chance in bringing South Africa together
Chaverim Yakarim I have been asked to share my sermon from last Friday via the AdKan with all of you. Please let me and/or ManCom know what your thoughts are on the subject, and please join the conversation. Shabbat Shalom—Rabbi Adrian M SchellWelcome back – and it is good to be back.Summer in Johannesburg is…
