Tag: Torah sparks by Rabbi Schell
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Parashat Bo: Fighting the gods of Egypt
Chaverim Yakarim As many scholars have noted, the plagues that struck Egypt during the Exodus can be interpreted as being assaults on the various gods of Egypt: the Nile, the sun, even to the firstborn of Pharaoh. But after the “official” plagues have ended, one more Egyptian god will come under assault. “Speak to the…
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2018 is coming to its end …
Chaverim Yakarim —dear friends 2018 is coming to its end, and while we traditionally use the High Holy Days to look back, I’d like to invite you to do so, one more time. 2018 came with hopes, hopes for freedom, success and growth—some became true, but we also have to carry forward some of them to…
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Chanukah is where we take one step beyond
Chaverim,There is also a very strong link between our portion of Mikeitz and Chanukah (besides that it is read during the chanukah week almost every year). At the beginning of this week’s reading, Pharaoh has a dream about seven cows coming up from the river. These cows were healthy looking, robust, full of flesh. Following them were…
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One Mitzvah leads to another, while one sin leads to another,and when one acts justly it is very good. – Pirkei Avot 4:2 Chaverim,This Saturday evening and Sunday morning, we join forces with our friends from Temple Israel and Beit Emanuel to help others. Every year in November, Jews world-wide dedicate one Sunday to do…
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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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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…
