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How And Why We Bless The Children #760

01/06/2023 04:23:34 PM

Jan6

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

Parashat Yayechi:  Noticing Joseph’s sons, Israel asked, “Who are these?” (Genesis 48:8)    How and why we bless the children

 

Jewish parents have just come through perhaps one of the most challenging times of the year.

We have been surrounded by Christmas trees, gifts, and carols.

It’s hard to compete. Some Jewish children want to know why they can’t have a tree, why our homes are...Read more...

The Start of Anti-Semitism #759

12/30/2022 05:09:00 PM

Dec30

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

Parashat Yayigash:
"Thus Israel settled in the country of Egypt...They acquired holdings and were fertile and increased greatly." (Genesis 47:27) The Start of Anti-Semitism

The issue of anti-Semitism is complex.

A few weeks ago, I shared the story of how, during a recent vacation, my wife and I were confronted by someone who pointed her finger in my face and accused “The Jews” of undermining America.

During his...Read more...

Joseph's FaceTime #758

12/23/2022 04:30:05 PM

Dec23

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

Parashat Yayeshev/Miketz:
"Why do you look so downcast today?” (Genesis 40:7)

Joseph’s FaceTime

Recently, I read an article describing three phases children go through as they relate to their parents.

“First my children saw me as a goddess,” noted the author. “Then during their teenage years I became stupid, but then I became wise again as they entered their 20’s and went out into the...Read more...

Who We Tell Our Dreams To #757

12/16/2022 06:06:05 PM

Dec16

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

Parashat Vayeshev:
"And the brothers hated him even more for his talk about his dreams." (Genesis 37:8)

Who We Tell Our Dreams To

Have you ever had a dream so vivid, that it seemed like a real recollection of the past, or a premonition of the future?

There are some dreams which seem so real, they remain with us—for a lifetime.  I must have been about 18 when I experienced a dream like that. I recall...Read more...

Money and Happiness #756

12/09/2022 05:25:00 PM

Dec9

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

Parashat Vayishlach 12"

money and happiness

Recently, I sat in on a Hebrew school class taught by one of our senior teachers, known as “Rabbi Shabbos.”

He posed two questions to his students:

The first was, “What is your definition of happiness?” and the second, “Would all the money in the world buy you happiness?”

The replies of our pre bat and bat mitzvah students showed a remarkable sense...Read more...

God on the High Seas #755

12/02/2022 02:00:05 PM

Dec2

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

Parashat Vayetzei: “(God) is present in this place, and I did not know it!” (Genesis 28:16)

God on the High Seas

About 25 years ago, when I was leading Shabbat services in my former congregation with a fellow lay leader, we delighted in a joyous day.

We were celebrating the bat mitzvah of very talented and committed young lady, who not only led the entire service, but also delivered a wonderful speech...Read more...

The Man With The Mop #754

11/25/2022 04:30:00 PM

Nov25

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

Parashat Chayei Sarah: “Let her be the one whom you have decreed for your servant Isaac.” Genesis 24:14

The Man with the Mop

On Monday, at about 6:30 pm, my wife and I made our way to our seats at the Bell Center in Montreal.

Although I enjoy attending New York Islanders games, when it comes to sports, the blood that flows through me is Montreal Canadiens red.

We were in Montreal for a...Read more...

Hospitality—and the Fort McMurray Miracle #753

11/18/2022 06:06:00 PM

Nov18

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

Parashat Chayei Sarah: “Let her be the one whom you have decreed for your servant Isaac.” Genesis 24:14

 

Hospitality—and the Fort McMurray Miracle

 

Archives at the local library confirm, that on Thursday, October 11, 1990, in the northern Canadian community of Fort McMurray, 10 adult males convened for the first ever official Jewish service.

How could that be...Read more...

Kindness—Acting Like God #752

11/11/2022 06:00:00 PM

Nov11

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

Parashat Vayera: God appeared to Abraham under the terebinths of Mamre. He was sitting at the entrance of the tent as the day grew hot." Genesis 18:1

Kindness—Acting Like God

 

If you ask most people who have rejected their religion, why they reached that decision, their response is often:

“Too strict. Too many rules. Too much judgment. Too many wars fought.”

And, if you ask what they truly...Read more...

What is Your Family's Story? #751

11/04/2022 06:20:58 PM

Nov4

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

Parashat Lech Lecha: “Our forefathers have been forced out of many, many places at a moment’s notice -- “Maybe that’s why we always wear our hats.” Fiddler on the Roof.

What is Your Family's Story?

 

For American Jews, one of the most treasured features of life is the fact that few of our families have been in this country more than three or four generations.

What is your...Read more...

Sat, October 11 2025 19 Tishrei 5786