Rabbi Steve Leapman will lead an 8-week class on Jewish views of death, focusing on how Jewish views have differed over the centuries and what guidance these views can give us today. The discussion will focus on the book “What Happens After I Die?”, by Rabbis Rifat Sonsino and Daniel Syme. Copies will be provided for 10-12 participants (to be returned at the end of the course), or copies may be purchased via the internet. The class wi… Read More »

This past week during minyan we have been studying Rashi’s commentary on the Akedah. As Abraham is about to lift the knife with which he intends to slaughter Isaac on God’s command, an angel of the Lord calls, Al Tishlach yadkha el hanaar – Literally do not send forth your hand against the child. But can be read colloquially as “Don’t touch the boy”. I don’t know if there was ever a case where the Torah was referencing the headlines from the news more accurately then this: Don’t … Read More »

Many centuries ago in the land of Israel, one of the early rabbis was returning home from a long day in the House of Study. It was later than usual, and as he walked home, the sun set. Lost deep in thought, he took the left fork – Instead of the right –when the path split. Instead of nearing home, he was walking toward a Roman outpost. “WHO GOES THERE” boomed a deep voice in the dark, shaking him from his thoughts. Shaken and confused, the rabbi tried to figure out who this was at his ho… Read More »

I have been feeling a bit remiss in not speaking about Israel this year given that it has been in the news so much.  But every sermon I started to write ended up becoming one of political analysis and you don’t need to hear that on Yom Kippur and you certainly don’t need to hear it from me. But it is essential that we pause and say something about Israel given its importance in our lives, the precariousness with which it exists and the active hatred that it inspires in so much of the world.… Read More »

Part One – You may have seen this story a few years back:  Arthur Rosenfeld was in line at a Starbucks drive thru.  The driver in the car behind him wanted him to move forward so that he could get closer to the microphone to order his drink.  But Rosenfeld could not move any farther because there was a car in front of him.  The driver behind him could not care less and started honking his horn and screaming insults at him.  Rosenfeld, a karate and tai chi instructor, considered getting ou… Read More »

One generation goes, another comes. But the earth remains the same forever, so wrote Ecclesiastes. And as each new generation appears, the fondness for the older one seems to increase. “I see no hope for the future of our people if they are dependent on the frivolous youth of today, for certainly all youth are reckless beyond words… When I was young, we were taught to be discreet and respectful of elders, but the present youth think of themselves as exceedingly wise; they are [disres… Read More »

The book of Numbers, which we finished this morning, closes with a discussion on how the tribes will divide the Land and what areas will be under the control of the Levites, who do not have a portion in the Land like the other tribes. As a part of this discussion, the issue of the manslayer and cities of refuge arises. The 6 cities of refuge exist under the authority of the Levites and are cities in which a slayer can run to for protection from the family members of the slain who might take just… Read More »