Category: Uncategorized
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Why We Get Sick
Recently on one of my rabbinic listservs, a colleague asked about this week’s Torah portion of Metzorah. The portion speaks of tzara’at, the biblical affliction commonly translated as leprosy (but not really connected to what we consider leprosy). This portion and last week’s, named Tazria, both deal with this issue. In fact the two portions…
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Bicenntenial
In honor of my 200th post on this blog, I have decided to redo the format. I like this new style in that it allows easy access to my most recent posts, with a picture for each. Let me know what you think. I’ve also changed the domain name to be http://www.rabbi360.com. You could reach it…
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What We are Not Asking When We Talk About Intermarriage
If it’s the first Wednesday of the month, it is time again for me to take my turn on the Rabbis Without Borders blog on MyJewishLearning. Here it is: What We Are Not Asking When We Talk About Intermarriage
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My House Shall Be a House of Justice (Beit Tzedek) for All Peoples
Last Friday at Erev Shabbat services, Temple Beth Hatfiloh was blessed to host Meg Martin, the Program Director of the Interfaith Works Emergency Overnight Shelter, who spoke to us about the impact of the warming center that TBH, along with two churches, has been hosting and she and her staff have been running these past four…
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Where Do You Charge Your Cell Phone?
Years ago, I remember learning of a movement to create voice mail boxes that could be accessed from pay phones, so that people who are experiencing homelessness will have an “address” that could help with communication, job searches, etc. The lesson of how technology can address this specific social issue made an impression on me.…
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Why I Didn’t Attend the Washington State Caucuses
By the end of the day Saturday, my Facebook feed was filled with people who had attended the Washington State Democratic caucuses. The emotions were high—people praising democracy in action, and sharing the excitement of cramming into school gymnasiums with neighbors and friends to debate, discuss and decide on who should be the Democratic nominee…
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Torah Table Topics: Tzav
Things to think about over your Shabbat table this week: This week we go deeper into Leviticus, which means we go deeper into the system of sacrifices. And while the sacrificial system is foreign to us in its implementation, it still touches a deep spiritual nerve. The portion opens in Leviticus 6 with a description…
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Trump and Haman and Ahasuerus..and Mordechai
Today was Purim, the annual celebration of the events of the biblical book of Esther. The story goes like this: the Persian King Ahasuerus dismisses his queen Vashti for not appearing at his summons. He invites all the women of the kingdom to appear to see who would become the new queen, and a Jewish…
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#FeelthePurim
Disclaimer: this is all in good fun, and does not constitute a political endorsement by me, Temple Beth Hatfiloh, its board, staff or membership. Since we are both New York-born Jews it was easier to dress up like Bernie Sanders than any other candidate. Happy Purim!
Rabbi 360 