Sign In Forgot Password
Home

blogs/rabbi-huberman

The Blessing That Changed Me #730

06/10/2022 05:29:14 PM

Jun10

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

Parashat Nasso: May God bless you and protect you." Numbers 6:24

the Blessing That Changed Me

 

It was about 2:15 pm on a Thursday in my Grade 10 English class, when a seemingly innocent event exposed me to my first incident of anti-Semitism.

Joel Nathanson sneezed.

Perhaps it was allergies – after all, without air conditioning, during early spring, teachers would often leave the windows of...Read more...

"It is what it is" - Not #729

06/03/2022 04:34:26 PM

Jun3

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

“Moses, tell the entire Israelite community to ‘lift their heads.’” Bamidbar 1:2“

"It is What It Is" - Not  

There were two unique phrases that made me shake my head when I first arrived in the New York area. 

They were often used when someone concluded that it was impossible to fight against the bureaucracy - an overcharge on a bill, a meter reading that didn’t seem right, a rule or a fee...Read more...

Uvalde Tragedy: What do we do?#728

05/27/2022 04:40:17 PM

May27

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

Parashat Behar

“We do not inherit the earth from our elders, we borrow it from our children.” First Nations Chief.

Shabbat For The Earth  

About nine months ago, the world lost one of its greatest composers and country music artists, Nanci Griffith.

You may have never heard of her - but her contribution to our understanding of the beauty of the earth will eternally remain with our...Read more...

Shabbat for the Earth #727

05/20/2022 05:07:47 PM

May20

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

 

Uvalde Tragedy: What Do We Do?  

I am a rabbi, and I am out of prayers.

I am tired of moments of silence. I am tired of speaking at solidarity rallies, or being asking to provide prayers of consolation and healing.

I’m even a bit angry at myself. Because when news first broke of the mass killing at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, I did not feel a dagger of empathy in my...Read more...

They Stood For Him #725

05/06/2022 05:27:34 PM

May6

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

Parashat Kedoshim

“You shall rise before the aged and show deference to the old." Leviticus 19:32

They Stood For Him  

It was morning, July 12, 2008, and we were in Jerusalem.

As is the custom whenever our congregation visits Israel, Saturday mornings are left open for participants to observe the Shabbat in a way which is both personal and meaningful to them.

And so it was on that...Read more...

Which Goat Will We Choose? #724

04/29/2022 06:49:20 PM

Apr29

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

Parashat Acharei Mot Which Goat Will We Choose?

 

In the early afternoon on the eve of the first Passover Seder, I stepped out of the Toronto airport terminal and caught the eye of a waiting taxi driver.

“I am next in line,” confirmed the turbaned driver. He was about 65, clad in a loose black top and pants. His black and grey beard glistened in the cool sunshine.

As he entered my...Read more...

Those "Dayenu" Moments #723

04/22/2022 03:59:00 PM

Apr22

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

Pesach Day 7 Those "Dayenu" Moments

 

In April 2005, my wife Patte – manager of a large dementia unit at a Catholic-run hospital in Edmonton – emailed the adult children of Jewish residents.

She advised that on the following Sunday afternoon, her unit would be holding a Seder, and she needed their help to assist aides, nurses and managers in transferring residents to the multi-purpose...Read more...

Call for a Newer Seder #722

04/15/2022 03:05:43 PM

Apr15

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

Pesach 2022 Call for a Newer Seder

A few weeks ago, a congregant asked me what I regarded as the most insightful Jewish movie of all time.

Her opinion was that it was Fiddler on the Roof. And who could argue?

Phrases like “May God keep the Czar far away from us.” “I realize it's no shame to be poor, but it's no great honor either,” and “How did this tradition get started? I'll tell you. I don't know.”...Read more...

Clearing “Chametz” from Our Souls #721

04/08/2022 06:50:00 PM

Apr8

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

Parashah Shabbat HaGadol Clearing "Chametz" from Our Souls

I don’t know about you, but lately I’ve been feeling a bit flat.

In the words of the poet, “It’s been a long, cold lonely winter.”

We’ve weathered another Covid variant. Events in Ukraine have dragged us back into a World War II mindset.

Lies and bent truths continue to permeate public opinion. We can’t even agree on how to combat a basic...Read more...

The “Real” Jewish New Year #720

04/01/2022 04:56:00 PM

Apr1

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

Parashah Tazria/Shabbat HaChodesh The "Read" Jewish New Year

In a few moments, I’m going to ask you whether you agree with Rabbi Joshua or Rabbi Eliezer.

Do you think the true Jewish New Year begins tonight, or will it arrive next September 25?

Most importantly, why should we care, and what does all of this have to do with events occurring overseas?

Welcome to the heart of a rabbinical debate — dating back 2,000...Read more...

Sun, November 24 2024 23 Cheshvan 5785