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187 results total, viewing 21 - 30

If you’ve seen an advertisement for travel to Israel, or if you have checked out the website of Israel’s Ministry of Tourism, you may have seen a curious logo. Here it is: This is the … more

d'Var Torah | 6/3/21

The importance of welcoming guests

One of the central and fundamental Jewish values is known as Hachnasat Orchim, (HO) meaning “Welcoming Guests.” This concept is accepted as one of the most essential mitzvot – commandments. As a matter of fact, our tradition … more

d'Var Torah | 10/29/15

Waking up to gratefulness

As I write this d’var Torah, we have just entered the Hebrew month of Elul, the month that precedes the High Holy Days, a month when the shofar is sounded at the conclusion of our morning … more

d'Var Torah | 8/23/18

The stranger is me

Recently we finished the Book of Genesis in our cycle of weekly Torah portions and began studying the Book of Exodus. The Book of Genesis told us stories of our patriarchs and … more

d'Var Torah | 2/16/17

Do we ever unplug?

Beep, beep, ring, ring, ring, buzz; the sounds of social media are constant. Ten minutes before class begins, half the class arrives early waiting for the professor to start. Do … more

d'Var Torah | 8/19/16

When do you have the “lead” and when are you a “bit player”?

Parashat Ki TissaExodus 30:11 – 34:35 “Whoever sought God would go out to the Tent of Meeting.” (Exodus 33:7) “God would speak to Moses face to face, as one person speaks to another.” (Exodus 33:11) At the foot of Mount Sinai, … more

d'Var Torah | 2/13/14

Modern resources can help us avoid repeating ancient mistakes

The biblical story of Joseph and his brothers spans four Torah readings – a full month on the yearly calendar. That’s a lot of coverage for a single story in the Torah. There must be many … more

d'Var Torah | 1/5/17

VAYERA: A biblical mystery

Genesis 19:26 reads as follows: “But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.” A very curious and enigmatic verse. Biblical commentators find it difficult to … more

d'Var Torah | 11/6/20

Grieving our losses – and envisioning the next chapter of Jewish life

It now seems like years ago that we were grieving not being in-person for our Passover seders, and dreaming up creative, safer alternatives to large gatherings of family and friends. Now, many of us … more

d'Var Torah | 6/5/20

A powerful proposition

Many years ago, long before I became a rabbi, I was invited to High Holy Days services at Beth Chayim Chadashim (BCC) in Los Angeles. As I walked into the sanctuary on Erev Rosh Hashanah, I remember … more

d'Var Torah | 9/6/21