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Barriers to Freedom – and Passover
Freedom from physical slavery is the first exodus. Then comes freedom from psychological enslavement. Passover shows us how to break loose from our mental chains. During the 30 days leading up to Passover, it is customary to prepare ourselves both physically and spiritually for the holiday. Physically, by cleaning our Read more
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It’s not Freedom – It’s Cherut!
Passover is NOT the time of our FREEDOM – it’s the time of our CHERUT. What’s the difference? In almost all English translations of the Passover Hagaddah we call Pesach, the “Season of our Freedom” (Zman Cherutaynu). And we declare “… it is our duty to thank and praise … Read more
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Surviving Exile – Joseph’s Secret
Joseph rose to the highest rank in Pharoah’s palace and became Egypt’s number one citizen. Yet in spite of that he remained true to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Here are some paraphrased words from one of my teachers, Rabbi Ze’ev Leff about how Joseph and his brothers Read more
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Jacob’s Secret Weapon against Esau
Jacob’s secret weapons in his Battle with Esav Esav had threatened to kill Yaakov after Yaakov received the blessings from his father Yitzchak. So on his mother Rivka’s advice, Yaakov fled the country to Laban’s home where he married Leah, Rachel, Bilhah and Zilpah. Yaakov amassed a fortune and eleven Read more
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Sarah: A woman of valor
There is a Jewish tradition for men to sing “A Woman of Valor” (Proverbs 31:10-31) to their wives just before making Kiddush over the wine and breaking bread at the Friday night Shabbat meal. It sings the praises of the Jewish woman. Tradition also says that it was based on Read more
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I will bless those who bless you!
THE BLESSINGS OF ISRAEL This Shabbat we read the Torah portion about Abraham and the Promised Land. (Genesis 12:1-3) וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־אַבְרָ֔ם לֶךְ־לְךָ֛ מֵאַרְצְךָ֥ וּמִמּֽוֹלַדְתְּךָ֖ וּמִבֵּ֣ית אָבִ֑יךָ אֶל־הָאָ֖רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר אַרְאֶֽךָּ׃ וְאֶֽעֶשְׂךָ֙ לְג֣וֹי גָּד֔וֹל וַאֲבָ֣רֶכְךָ֔ וַאֲגַדְּלָ֖ה שְׁמֶ֑ךָ וֶהְיֵ֖ה בְּרָכָֽה׃ וַאֲבָֽרְכָה֙ מְבָ֣רְכֶ֔יךָ וּמְקַלֶּלְךָ֖ אָאֹ֑ר וְנִבְרְכ֣וּ בְךָ֔ כֹּ֖ל מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת הָאֲדָמָֽה׃ 1. And God Read more
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Ready for Rosh HaShanah? 4 questions to ask yourself right now!
Should you get a promotion this year? A larger budget and expense account? Bigger challenges? Win the lottery? We’ve been trumpeting the shofar every morning in synagogue to help us prepare for Rosh HaShanah (Jewish New Year which begins this year on Monday evening September 6, 2021). The day is Read more
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Whispers from the Clouds of Elul
What is the hidden message that the clouds of Elul whisper to us at the end of the summer? Summer in the Galilee is almost over. I know, because on my way to synagogue this morning the sky was overcast. All summer long the skies have been clear, sunny and Read more
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Crossing the Jordan – a Blessing or a Curse?
I took some of our visiting children and grandchildren down to the Jordan River a while ago to cool off from the summer heat. It’s only 8 minutes away and literally right next to where we make our Galilee Green Olive Oil. In the late summer afternoon, nothing feels more Read more