SB Right – 4 Column
Behar/Bechokutai
This past Kabbalat Shabbat we listened to Amitai Aricha sing one of the poems written by the Yeminite 17th century poet, Rabbi Shalom Shabazi, or as Gary Cohen spoke of him, the “Shakespeare of Yemen.”
Emor
Emor – Say: a command for Moses to speak to the Kohanim, the priests. Moses is to provide instructions as to the sacredness of their duty to the people Israel. But the job description of the Kohanim changed post destruction of the Second Temple. Even biblically, as the Kohanim served the people of Israel, with that […]
Acharei-Kedoshim
This week, in Acharei Mot we read about all manner of forbidden relationships. Included in the list of forbidden relationships – and there are more than you might imagine – is the now infamous 18:22. The word toevah, abomination is used in application to any man who may lie with a man as one lies […]
Tazria-Metzora
Leviticus – Vayikra – can really take us into the weeds – or the tzaaras, a leprous-like affliction. So many words devoted to descriptions of this affliction and what is to be done. Yet, even the Rabbis say, “There never was nor will there ever be a rebellious and gluttonous son; why [then] was it […]
Yom HaShoah
This past Kabbalat Shabbat our beloved Arlette Baker spoke to us about her experiences surviving the war, in particular, surviving the loss of her parents at age four.
Counting the Omer
As of Sunday, March 28, we are in the period of the Omer, that countdown of 49 days to our next Festival, Shavuot. By doing so, we are preparing ourselves to receive Torah at Sinai. This Omer period is a time of semi-mourning, so no haircuts, no listening to instrumental music, or dancing, or weddings […]
Naso
May 17, 2021 by Rabbi Lynn Greenhough • From the Rabbi's Desk Tags: israel, naso, shavuot, tikkun leil •
This has been a challenging week for Israel, and for those who deeply love this country, worrying about family and friends who may be in danger. In conversation with people the same themes comes up: relief that the Iron Dome is doing its work; once congenial Arab-Jewish neighbourhoods, are now areas of fear, horror and […]