Jerusalem As A Process
The Torah opens with God creating the world. One would think that God’s creation would be perfect, an ideal setting…
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The Joy of Completion
The only day in the Jewish calendar that contains the word “simcha” (joy) in its title is Simchat Torah. What…
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Building the Sukkah and Yerushalayim
On Sukkot there is a mitzvah to dwell in the Sukkah – “in sukkot you shall dwell for seven days.” …
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Teshuva As A Return to Jerusalem
This week’s haftorah very fittingly is focused on teshuva. Hoshea movingly tells the people to take stock of their spiritual…
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Coronating God in Jerusalem
This year the first day of Rosh HaShanah occurs on Shabbat and therefore we refrain from blowing the shofar. While…
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Teshuva in Jerusalem
On this final Shabbat of the year, we fittingly read about the mitzvah of teshuva (repentance). After describing the Jewish…
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Arabs Firebomb Jewish Homes In Jerusalem On Shabbat
A massive firebomb attack happened in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Kfar Shiloach over Shabbat. Shabbat saw one of the worst…
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Jerusalem of Fear and Joy
We generally think of simcha (joy) and yirah (fear) as mutually exclusive feelings. Experiencing fear or even the solemnity of…
Read MorePre Rosh Hashana Message
Shalom and Chodesh Tov to our friends and supportersMay it be a great month of Elul for everyone.And maybe now…
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Quarantining In Jerusalem
In several instances, the Torah commands us to remember a specific event for posterity. Interestingly, two of the events that…
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